Lyrics:
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John Hardy was a brave little man
He carried a pistol every day
He killed a man in the West Virginia land
Ought to see John Hardy getting away, Lord, Lord
Ought to see John Hardy getting away
John Hardy was standing at the gambling bar
He didn't have a stake in the game;
Up stepped his woman, threw down fifty cents,
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, Lord, Lord" etc.
John Hardy lost that fifty cents,
It was all he had in the game,
He drew the forty-four that he had by his side
Blowed out that poor nigger's brains, Lord, Lord" etc.
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."
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