John Hardy was a desperate little man
He carried two guns every day
He shot a man on the West Virginia line
And you ought to see John Hardy getting away
And you ought to see John Hardy getting away
John Hardy was lying on the broad river plain
Drunk as he could be
Up stepped a man and took him by the hand
Saying Johnny, come and go with me
Johnny, come and go with me
He sent for his momma and his papa too
To come and go his bail
But bail ain't had for a murdering case
And they locked John Hardy up in jail
And they locked John Hardy up in jail
John Hardy had a simple pretty little wife
The dress that she wore was blue
She came up to the old jail house cryin'
Saying: Johnny, I been true to you oh boy
Johnny, I been true to you
John Hardy was standing in his cell
Tears running down his eyes
Crying: I've been the d**h of many a poor boy
And now I'm ready to die, Lord Lord
Now I'm ready to die, Lord Lord
I been to the east, I been to the west
I been in whole world round
I been to the river and I been baptized
Take me to my hanging ground Lord, Lord
Take me to my hanging ground