Tuning: E A D G B E

John Hardy as recorded by Leadbelly Tune every string a whole tone down like this D G C F A d hence the song is in the key of G

John ^AHardy, he ^Dwas a d^Eesperate little man He c^Aarried two g^Duns every d^Eay He ^Ashot a m^Dan on the W^Eest Virginia line I s^Eeen John Hardy getting’ away poor boy I s^Eeen John Hardy getting’ away

John H^Aardy went ^Dup on that ^EKeystone bridge ^AHe ^Dthought he was f^Eree ^AUp came a ^Dman and he c^Eaught him by the arm Said "^EJohnny, come and go with me poor boy, ^EJohnny, come and go with me"

John H^Aardy had a mo^Dther and a f^Eather too He b^Aegged them to c^Dome and go his b^Eail There was ^Ano bail allo^Dwed for the m^Eurderin’ man They c^Ehased John Hardy back in jail poor boy They c^Ehased John Hardy back in jail

John H^Aardy he h^Dad a pr^Eetty little wife ^AAnd the dress she w^Dore was ^Eblue She ^Acome to the j^Dailhouse w^Eith a loud shout Said “^EJohnny I been true to you poor boy, ^EJohnny I been true to you”

John H^Aardy, was st^Danding ^Ein his cell And t^Aears are r^Dollin’ down his ^Eeyes Said, "I ^Ahave been at the ^Ddeath of m^Eany a poor man And ^Enow I am ready to die poor boy And ^Enow I am ready to die"

I’ve ^Abeen to the ^Deast I've ^Ebeen to the west I've ^Abeen the wh^Dole wide w^Eorld around I've ^Abeen to the r^Diver and ^EI've been to baptized ^ETake me to my hanging ground Lord, Lord ^EAnd take me to my hanging ground

there will be a tab version so you can play the melody and chords all together enjoy salud amigos!

Leadbelly - John hardy