Lyrics

General Taylor (Stormy)

General Taylor he died long ago.
Walk him along John, carry him along
He died on the plains of Mexico.
Carry him to his burying ground.

Chorus:
To-me, way, hey, Stormy,
Walk him along John, carry him along,
Way, hey, Stormy,
Carry him to his burying ground.

We’ll dig his grave with a silver spade,
Walk him along John, carry him along
His coffin of the finest woods will be made.
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

We’ll lower him down on a golden chain.
Walk him along John, carry him along
We’ll make bloody sure he don’t come up again!
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

I wish I was old Stormy’s son,
Walk him along John, carry him along
I’d build me a ship of a thousand ton.
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

A shinin’ ship of a thousand ton,
Walk him along John, carry him along
And I’d fill it up with Barbados rum!
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

A drink of rum for every man,
Walk him along John, carry him along
And a bottle full for the shanty man …
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

I thought I heard the old man say,
Walk him along John, carry him along
“Just once more round, boys, and then we belay!”
Carry him to his burying ground. (Chorus)

Song Notes

This song is sometimes called, “Stormy,” “Carry Him to His Burying Ground,”  or “Walk Me Along Johnny, Walk Him Along John.”

This song refers to General Zachary Taylor (1784-1850).  He made a name for himself as a captain in the War of 1812.  After several successful campaigns against Native American tribes and engagements against Mexico he dealt a crushing blow in the Mexican-American War defeating Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista.  He eventually went on to become the President of the United States for just 16 months as he died of a stomach disease in 1850.

This song has been recorded by A.L. Lloyd, Louis Killen, The Songwainers, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, and Sound Tradition, among others.