Lyrics Johnny Come Lately (1987/Live in Raleigh, NC) - Steve Earle

I'm an American, boys, I've come a long way
I was born and bred in the USA
So listen up close, I've get something to say
Boys, I'm buying this round

Well, it took a little while, but we're in this fight
Ain't going home til we've done what's right
We're gonna drink Camden Town dry tonight
If I have to spend my last pound

When I first got to London, it was pouring down rain
Met a little girl in the field canteen
Painted her name on the nose of my plane
Six more missions, I'm gone

Well, I asked if I could stay, and she said that I might
Then the warden came around, yelling, "Shut out the lights"
Death raining out of the London night
We made love til dawn

Well, when Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
Chest full of medals and a GI loan
They'll be waiting at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home

My P-47 is a pretty good ship
She took a round coming 'cross the channel last trip
I was thinking 'bout my baby and letting her rip
Always got me through so far

Well, they can ship me all over this great big world
Never find nothing like my North End girl
Taking her home with me one day, sir
Soon as we win this war

When Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
Chest full of medals and a GI loan
They'll be waiting at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home

Now, my granddaddy sang me this song
Told me about London when the Blitz was on
How he married grandma and brought her back home
A hero throughout this land

Now, I'm standing on a runway in San Diego
Took a Purple Heart, so I move a little slow
There's nobody here, maybe nobody knows
About a place called Vietnam

When Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
Chest full of medals and a GI loan
They'll be waiting at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home

When Johnny Come Lately comes marching home
Chest full of medals and a GI loan
They'll be waiting at the station down in San Antone
When Johnny comes marching home