Classic Poem

John Hardy was a brave and a desperated boy,
Said he carried two guns ever' day.
He shot him a man in the Shawnee camp,
An' I saw John Hardy gittin' away, po' boy,
I saw John Hardy gittin away. John game.

2

John Hardy was a-standing by the dark sea bar;
He was unconcerned in the game,
A yeller gal threw down a fifty cents, sayin',
" Deal John Hardy in the game, " po' boy, sayin',
" Deal John Hardy in the game. "

3

John Hardy stepped up with the money in his hand,
Saying, " I have money to play.
An' the one who wins this yeller gal's money,
I have powder to blow him away! " Lord, Lord!
" I have powder to blow him away! "

4

The cards was dealt an' the money on the board,
Dave Campbell won that twenty dollar bill.
John Hardy drew his pistol, an' he took sure aim an' fired,
An' he caused Dave Campbell's brains to spill, Lord, Lord!
He caused Dave Campbell's brains to spill!

5

John Hardy had twelve miles to go,
An' six of them he ran,
He ran till he came to the river bank,
Then he fell on his bosom an' he swam, Lord, Lord!
He fell on his bosom an' he swam.

6

John Hardy went to this big, long town,
When he thought he was out of the way,
Up stepped a marshal and taken him by the hand,
Says, " Johnny, come and go with me, " po' boy,
Says, " Johnny, come and go with me. "

7

John Hardy had a father and mother,
He sent for them to go his bail.
No bail was allowed for murderin' a man,
So they shoved John Hardy back in jail, po' boy,
So they shoved John Hardy back in jail.

8

Johnny Hardy was standin' in his cell,
With the tears runnin' down his eyes,
" I've been the death of many a poor man,
And now I'm ready to die, O Lord,
And now I'm ready to die.

9

" I've been to the east and I've been to the west
I've been this wide world round,
I've been to the river and I've been baptised,
So take me to my hanging ground,O Lord,
So take me to my hanging ground.