John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man
Read John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man lyrics by Anita Carter on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
John Hardy he was a desperate little man
He carried the guns every day
Shot a man on the West Virginia line
You oughta seen John Hardy gettin' away
John hardy he got the east stone bridge
He thought he would be free
But up set the man and took him by the arm
Said Johnny come along with me
John Hardy he had a pretty little girl
The dress she wore it was blue
She came escape him to the old jailhouse
Said papa I've been true to you
[ banjo ]
John Hardy he had another little girl
The dress that she wore it was red
She followed John Hardy to his hanging ground
Sayin' papa I'd rather be dead
I've been to the east and I've been to the west
I've been this wide world around
I've been to the river and I've been baptized
And now I'm standing on my hanging ground
Go dig my grave so long and wide
Go dig it wide and deep
Put the picture of the pretty girl at my head
And the forty-five left layin' at my feet
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man"?
Anita Carter performs "John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man", and this lyric page sits inside the Anita Carter catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man"?
Yes. The related section below points to No My Love No and All My Trials with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Anita Carter?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Anita Carter's lyric pages.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.