John Hardy was a desperate little man
Carried two guns every day
He shot a man down on the West Virginia line
You should have seen John Hardy getting away
John Hardy run to the free stone bridge
Trying to make his getaway
Along came a deputy and he took him by the arm
Saying "Johnny, come along with me"
John Hardy had a pretty little girl
The dress that she wore was red
As she came a-trippin' through the old church yards
Saying "Poppy, I would rather be dead"
He sent for his mommy and his poppy too
To try and go his bail
But money won't pay for a murdering charge
So they locked John Hardy back in jail
John Hardy had a pretty little girl
The dress that she wore was red
As she came a-trippin' through the old church yards
Saying "Poppy, I would 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
Now take me to my hanging ground"
John Hardy was a desperate little man
Carried a razor every day
He shot a man down on the West Virginia line
You should have seen John Hardy getting away