John Hardy was a desparate little man
Strapped on a gun everday
Shot down a man on the West Virginia line
We all seen John Hardy get away
We all seen John Hardy get away

Ran out to Virginia on the East stone bridge
Thought he would surely be free
Along come a Marshall with a gun in his hand
He said Johnny come along with me
Johnny come along with me

John Hardy had himself a little woman yea,
The dress she wore was blue
Called after Johnny as he rode out of town
Said Johnny I'm true to you
Johnny be true to you

Said he'd have to travel to the East to the West
To the North to the south part of town
At sundown tomorrow they'll take John Hardy down
Look who was hanging down
Don't let John Hardy swing down

John Hardy was a desparate little man
He strapped on a gun everday
He shot down a man on the West Virginia line
We all seen John Hardy get away
We all seen John Hardy get away