The song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" originated during the American Civil War, written by Irish-American bandleader Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, who published it under the pseudonym Louis Lambert in 1863. The song expresses a hopeful and joyful anticipation of soldiers returning home from war, resonating with both Union and Confederate families longing for peace. The lyrics celebrate the hero’s homecoming with cheers, flowers, and festivities, encapsulating the emotional relief and happiness expected at the end of conflict. The melody is said to have been adapted from an old tune Gilmore heard early in the rebellion, possibly from an African-American singer or an Irish folk song, and the song grew to become an enduring patriotic anthem through multiple American wars and times of peace. It was initially composed for a peace jubilee Gilmore organized in Boston and later became a staple in military and civic music events, symbolizing reunion and hope.

Here is the opening stanza of the song: When Johnny comes marching home again,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We’ll give him a hearty welcome then,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer, the boys will shout,
The ladies, they will all turn out,
And we’ll all feel gay,
When Johnny comes marching home.

This song remains a significant piece of American musical heritage reflecting the collective longing for the safe return of loved ones from war.