82 - My Johnny Is An Activist

Words: J. Bergqvist
Tune: Trad, arr. Bryony Griffiths & Alice Jones

A version of the popular song My Johnny Was a Shoemaker (Roud 1388) with re-written lyrics by one of our Auntie Shanty Crew to be more queer, poly and social justice-friendly.
The lyrics were written to fit the arrangement by Bryony Griffiths & Alice Jones from their 2022 album 'A Year Too Late And A Month Too Soon'

My Johnny is an activist,
And dearly they love me.
My Johnny is an activist,
In the fight for equality.
They’re courageous, valiant and strong,
And proud to be non-binary,
My Johnny is an activist.

Their jacket is a bold bright red.
And matching is their hair,
Their jacket is a bold bright red.
It is we all declare,
To support their comrades they have gone.
To call an end to the patriarchy,
My Johnny is an activist.

In a vessel we live on the sea,
In ethical non-monogamy.
In a vessel we live on the sea,
Our love is whole, strong, selfless and free.
We support each other in our lives,
And uplift the downtrodden and unseen,
My Johnny is an activist.

When we spy another battle to be fought,
Our resources know no bounds.
When we spy another battle to be fought,
We fight and we won’t back down.
Cos we believe in what we know is right,
For there is strength in a community,
My Johnny is an activist.

My Johnny is an activist,
And dearly they love me.
My Johnny is an activist,
In the fight for equality.
They’re courageous, valiant and strong,
And proud to be non-binary,
My Johnny is an activist.