[Intro]
One, two, three, pick

[Verse 1]
Johnson he went riding
As fast as he could ride
When he thought he heard a woman
He heard a woman cry

[Verse 2]
So Johnson gettin' off his horse
And lookin' all around
If he came upon a woman
With her hair pinned to the ground

[Verse 3]
A woman, dearest woman
Who's fright is the worst fright
Which brought you here this mornin'
With her hair pinned to the ground

[Verse 4]
"It were three bold and a-strugglin' men
With swords out and in hand
Where brought me here this mornin'
With my hair pinned to the ground"
[Verse 5]
Now, Johnson bein' a man of his own
And bein' a man in gold
He took off his overcoat
To cover her from thе cold

[Verse 6]
And Johnson gettin' on his horse
And the woman gеttin' on behind
Down that long and lonesome highway
Their fortunes for to find

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 7]
They rode on and further on
Then nothing could espy
When she put her fingers to her ears
And she gave three shivering cries

[Verse 8]
Out sprang three bold and a-strugglin' men
With swords out and in hand
Who commanded Johnson
Commanded if he'll stand
[Verse 9]
"I'll stop them" said Johnson
"I'll spend them" said he
"But I never were in my life
Afraid of any three"

[Verse 10]
So Johnson killed him two of them
Not watchin' in the woman behind
While he was upon the other one
She stabbed him from behind

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 11]
Oh, the day was clear and a market day
And the people are passing by
Who saw this awful murder
And saw poor Johnson die