Anita Carter - John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man lyrics

John Hardy he was a desperate little man He carried the guns every day Shot a man on the West Virginia line You oughta seen John Hardy gettin' away John hardy he got the east stone bridge He thought he would be free But up set the man and took him by the arm Said Johnny come along with me John Hardy he had a pretty little girl The dress she wore it was blue She came escape him to the old jailhouse Said papa I've been true to you [ banjo ] John Hardy he had another little girl The dress that she wore it was red She followed John Hardy to his hanging ground Sayin' papa I'd rather be dead I've been to the east and I've been to the west I've been this wide world around I've been to the river and I've been baptized And now I'm standing on my hanging ground Go dig my grave so long and wide Go dig it wide and deep Put the picture of the pretty girl at my head And the forty-five left layin' at my feet