John Hardy, he was a desperate little man Carried two guns every day Shot a man down by the West Virginia line They saw John Hardy getting away They saw John Hardy getting away They cornered John Hardy on the Tombstone bridge He thought that he was free 'Til the deputy sheriff came and grabbed him by the arm Said "Johnny, come along with me" "Johnny, come along with me" John Hardy, he stood inside his cell Tears running down his eyes Said "I've seen the d**h of many a poor boy Now I'm ready to die Now I'm ready to die" Well, I've been to the east and I've been to the west I've been the whole world round I've been to the north and I've been to the south Now I'm going to my hanging ground I'm going to my hanging ground