Michael Martin Murphey - The Betrayal of Johnnie Armstrong lyrics

[Verse 1] Come all you border ratters and listen to my song The story has been told before and i'll not detain you long It's a tale of Johnnie Armstrong and the King who did betray A man of trust and honesty, his cattle taken by the enemy But they hung him from the gallow tree Johnnie Armstrong's gone away A some called him a reaver and there a those who say That all down through new castle, blackmail to Johnnie paid From the tower at [?] to the shadowlands below Blowed the outlaw royalty with honour and integrity But they hung him from the gallow tree Johnnie Armstrong's gone away [Verse 2] A plan relayed with whispers to bring poor Johnnie down A gathering at carlon rigg, with the northern crown Then the message was delivered, John you must come today The king said Johnnie come to me, your safety i will guarantee But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong's gone away And with eight hundred ratters, his men they did surround But with five and thirty he lost he upper ground No bargain then was offered no bargain then was made Johnnie offered whites [?] twenty three, gold, black metal, property But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong's gone away Kings don't need competition from broken men like you The English Queen is nervous, so your even days are through The sentence was delivered, with d**h he had to pay The rope returned his liberty, from Earthly troubles set him free But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong's gone away Johnnie Armstrong's gone away Johnnie Armstrong's gone away Johnnie Armstrong's gone away