Frankie and Johnny: Lyrics

Traditional

• LP A Legacy

Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Oh lordy, how they could love
Swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars above
He was her man, but he done her wrong

Well, Frankie went down to the corner
To get a bucket of beer
She said to the fat bartender
"Has my lovin' Johnny been here?
He was my man, I think he's doing me wrong"

"Well, I don't want to cause you no trouble
And I don't want to tell you no lies
But I seen your man about an hour ago
With that high-browed Nellie Bly
He was your man, I think he's doing you wrong"

She took a cab at the corner
And said "Driver step on this can
For you're looking at a desperate gal
Been two-timed by her man
He was my man, but he done me wrong"

Then Frankie went home in a hurry
She didn't go there for fun
Frankie went home to get a-hold
Of Johnny's shooting gun
He was her man, but he done her wrong

Frankie peeked over the transom
And there to her surprise
She saw her lovin-man Johnny
With that high-browed Nellie Bly
He was her man, and he was doing her wrong

Then Frankie pulled back her kimono
And she pulled out a small .44
And root-e-toot-toot three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
He was her man, but he done her wrong

"Well roll me over on my left side
Roll me over so slow,
Roll me over on my left hand side, Frankie,
Them bullets hurt me so,
I was your man, but I done you wrong"

Now, bring round your ruber-tired buggy
And bring round your rubber-tired hack
I'm taking my man to the graveyward
I ain't gonna bring him back
He was my man, but he done me wrong

Well this story has no moral
And this story has got no end
Well the story just goes to show  you women
That there ain’t no good in men
He was her man, but he done her wrong

Of note:

Another potent old song given a tired and tentative performance, where Cisco sounds as if he's unsure of the meter. Awkward pauses, strange phrasing, and non-chalant guitar make for an unmemorable song, and without the pungent electric chair verse Ed McCurdy sings with such vehemence. Recorded by everyone from Jimmie Rodgers to Elvis, this warhorse requires a more vigorous interpreter.

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