John Hardy Songtext
von Lead Belly

John Hardy he was a desperate little man
He carried two guns every day
He shot a man on the West Virginia line
Oughta seen John Hardy getting away, poor boy
Oughta seen John Hardy getting away

John Hardy went up on that freestone bridge
Thought he was free
A thief to Maine and they caught him by the arm
Said Johnny come and go with me, poor boy
Said Johnny come and go with me


John Hardy had a mother and a father too
He sent for them to come and go his bail
There was no bail allowed for the murdering man
They shipped John Hardy back in jail, poor boy
They shipped John Hardy back in jail

John Hardy he had a pretty little wife
The dress she wore was blue
She come to the jailhouse with a loud shout
Said Johnny I′ve been true to you, poor boy
Said Johnny I've been true to you

John Hardy was standing in his cell
And tears a-rolling down his eyes
Said I have been the death of a many poor man
And now I am ready to die, poor boy
And now I am ready to die


I′ve been to the east, I've been to the west
I've been this whole wide world around
I′ve been to the river and I′ve been baptized
Now take me to my hanging ground, Lord, Lord
And take me to my hanging ground