Unknown - John Hardy Lyrics

John Hardy

John Hardy was a brave little man
He carried a pistol every day
He killed a man in Shallow Town
'Twas a sight to see John Hardy getting away, Lord, Lord
'Twas a sight to see John Hardy getting away

John Hardy was standing at the gambling bar And was not
concerning the game; Up stepped a lady, threw down half a dollar,
Said, "Deal John Hardy in the game," etc.

John Hardy picked up the half a dollar
And threw it against the ground,
Saying, "The very first man that wins my money,
I sure will blow him down."

A big buck nigger he won the money
And picked it up from the ground;
John Hardy he drew out his pistol
And shot that nigger down.

John Hardy got on an old freight train,
The old freight train was too late;
And if the old train had n't a-been behind time,
John Hardy would have made his escape.

John Hardy was a-standing at the station bars,
So dark he could not see;
Up stepped a policeman and took him by the arm,
Says, "Johnny, come and go with me."

The policeman he arrested John
And brought him on to jail;
They no bail allowed for a murderer,
And they locked John Hardy up in jail.

John wrote to his father and mother to come
And get him out on bail;
They no bond allowed for murdering crime;
So they kept John Hardy in jail.

John's father and mother crossed the deep blue sea,
To get him out on bail;
Says, "There 's no bond for a murdering man."
So they kept John Hardy in jail.

John Hardy had a pretty little wife,
She always went dressed in green;
And coming down on the hanging ground,
Says, "Johnny, you were always too mean."

John Hardy had a true little boy,
He was all dressed in black;
As coming down on the hanging ground,
Says, "Papa, I wish that you were back."

John Hardy had a true little girl,
She always dressed in red;
As coming down on the hanging ground,
Says, "Papa, I would rather be dead."

"I've been to the East and I've been to the West
I've been the wide world round;
I've been to the river and I've been baptized,
And now I'm on my hanging ground."