Ramblin' Jack Elliott - John Hardy lyrics

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