So, where did the title come from?

People often assume the main character of Johnny Got His Gun is named John, but actually he's Joe Bonham.

Trumbo most certainly picked the title as a response to the most popular American song from World War I: Over There. Joe Bonham's experience did not quite match the upbeat tone of the song.


Johnny, get your gun, get your gun, get your gun.
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run.
Hear them calling you and me,
Every Son of Liberty.
Hurry right away, no delay, go today.
Make your Daddy glad to have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.


Johnny, get your gun, get your gun, get your gun.
Johnny, show the Hun you're a son-of-a-gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks from the towns and the tanks.
Make your Mother proud of you
And the old red-white-and-blue