John Hardy here was a desperate little man
Carried two guns every day
He shot a man on the West Virginia line
And I’ve seen John Hardy getting away oh boy
I’ve seen John Hardy getting away
And John Hardy went to the Keystone bridge
He thought that he was free
Upstepped the deputy and he caught him by the arm
He said: John Hardy come and go with me oh boy
John Hardy come and go with me
John Hardy come and go with me oh boy
John Hardy come and go with me
John Hardy had a mother and a dad
Get down to come and go as bad
There was no bell for the murdering man
They chased John Hardy back in jail oh boy
They chased John Hardy back in jail
They chased John Hardy back in jail oh boy
They chased John Hardy back in jail
That John Hardy had a pretty little wife
Dressed like she wore the blue
She came to the jailhouse with a loud loud shout
John Hardy I’ve been true to you oh boy
John Hardy I’ve been true to you
Yes, Johnny I’ve been true to you oh boy
Johnny I’ve been true to you
John Hardy, he was standing in his cell
With tears rolling down his eyes
Been at the death of many poor men
Now I’m ready to die oh boy
Now I’m ready to die
Now I’m ready to die oh boy
Now I’m ready to die
Been to the east, I’ve been to the west
I’ve been the whole world around
Been to the river and I’ve been baptized
Take me to my hanging ground, Lord, Lord
Take me to my hanging ground
And John Hardy walked out on the sky full high
Pretty little wife by his side
And the last word she heard for John old sake
I’ll meet now sweet, bye, bye, love, love
Meet now sweet, bye, bye, love, love
