| Johnny Hart he was a desperate little man
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| He had a razor and a pistol every day
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| Cut down a man on the free state line
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| You shoulda seen Johnny Hart getting away, oh Lord
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| See Johnny Hart getting away
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| Johnny Hart made a run for the free state line
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| There he thought he’d be free
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| Man came walking and a-grabbed him by the arm
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| Saying Johnny come along with me, poor boy
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| Johnny come along with me
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| Johnny Hart he wrote his mom and dad
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| Saying come here and go my bail
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| But money won’t go his murdering charge
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| They laid Johnny Hart back in jail, oh Lord
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| Laid Johnny Hart back in jail
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| Now the first one to visit Johnny Hart in jail
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| Was the girl with the rag on her head
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| Said I never thought I’d see you in that jail
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| I believe I’d rather see you dead, Johnny Hart
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| I believe I’d rather see you dead
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| Now the next one to visit Johnny Hart in jail
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| Was his lively wife, she was so brave
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| Said I’d rather see you in your winding sheets
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| Than to see you on that long ragged chain, dear God
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| See you on that long ragged chain
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| Johnny Hart he stood in his jail cell
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| And a tear ran down his eye
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| Said I been the death of many deputy sheriff
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| My six gun has never told a lie, no Lord
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| My six gun has never told a lie
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| Well, I’ve run to the east, I’ve run to the west
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| I’ve run just as far as I can
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| If I ever get lose from this ball and chain
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| I’m gonna make it to the free state line, dear God
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| Make it to the free state line
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| You’ve guards to the east, guards to the west
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| You got guards this whole world 'round
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| But before I’ll be a slave, I’ll rot in your ground
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| You can take me to my hanging ground, Mr. Jailor
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| Take me to my hanging ground |