1.
JGohn Hardy was a desperate little man
hEmie carried two guns every dGay
he shot a man on the West Virginia Line
you should have sEmieen John Hardy getting away, poor boy,
you should have sGeen John Hardy gDetting aGway.
2.
He went on across to the East Stone Bridge
there he thought he'd be free
up steps the sheriff and he takes him by the arm
saying Johnny come along with me, poor boy,
Johnny come along with me.
3.
He sent for his mama and his papa too
to come and go for his bail
but there weren't no bail on a murder charge
so they threw John Hardy back in jail, poor boy,
threw John Hardy back in jail.
4.
John Hardy had a pretty little girl
the dress she wore was blue
she came into the jailhouse hall
saying Johnny I'll be true to you, poor boy,
Johnny I'll be true to you.
5.
I've been to the East and I've been to the West
travelled this wide world around
been to the river and I've been baptized
and now I'm on my hanging ground
now I'm on my hanging ground.