Cat. #1085 (MFH #313) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 12, 1970
VERSE 1
John Hardy was a desperate little man
Carried a two guns ever day
Shot a man on th West Virginia line
You oughter see John Hardy get away
Lord, Lord ya' oughter seen John Hardy get away
VERSE 2
He went to the East, He went to th West
He thought he would be free
Up stepped a man an' took 'im by th arm
Saying, Johny come along with me, Lord, Lord
Johnny come along with me
VERSE 3
They took John Hardy down to town
Locked him up in jail
He asked for his Momma an' his Papa too
Come and go his bail, Lord, Lord
Come an' go his bail
VERSE 4
John Hardy had a pretty little girl
Th dress she wore was blue
She came steppin' thru the ole jail house
Saying, Daddy, I'll be true to you, Lord, Lord
Daddy, I'll be true to you
VERSE 5
John Hardy had another little girl
Her dress, she wore was red
She followed John Hardy to his hangin' ground
Saying, Daddy, I druther be dead, Lord, Lord
Daddy, I'd druther be dead
VERSE 6
I been to th East, I been to th West
I've traveled this wide world aroun'
I've been to th river an' I've been baptized
Now, on my hangin' ground, Lord, Lord
Now, on my hangin' ground