Johnson, he was riding along
fast as he could ride
When he thought he heard a woman,
he heard a woman cry
Johnson getting off his horse,
searching the woods all around
When he came upon a wo man
with her hair pinned to the ground.
Woman, dearest woman,
who brought you here for to spend?
Who that brought you here this morning
with your hair pinned to the ground?
It were three bold and struggling men,
With swords keen in hand,
Who that brought me here
this morning,
With my hair pinned to the ground.
Well, Johnson, being a man of his own,
Being a man and bold,
He'd taken off his overcoat,
To cover her from the cold.
Johnson getting on his horse,
The woman getting on behind.
Then they rode down that
lonesome highway,
Their fortunes fortified.
They were riding all alone,
fast as they could ride
When she threw her fingers to her lips
and gave three shivering cries
Out sprung three bold and struggling men
With swords keen in hand.
Ooh, that commanded Johnson,
Commanded him to stand.
I'll stop then, said Johnson,
I'll stop then, said he,
For I never was in all my life
Afraid of any three.
Johnson killing two of them,
Not watching the woman behind.
While he was at the other one,
She stabbed him from behind.
The day was free and a market day,
The people all passing by,
Who that saw this awful murder,
And saw poor Johnson die. you