Ry Cooder – Johnny Porter lyrics

(Bobby Ray Appleberry/William Cuomo)

Johnny Porter was the oldest in his family
And I remember he was almost twenty one
Y'know I can't quite explain the situation
But he broke into his father's truck and stole a gun
Mother running down the highway screaming
Johnny it's too bad, oh it's too and it's bad
And it's too bad

Well, his father wonders where he got the money
And he wonders if he got it right or wrong
Then Johnny killed a man in Pensacola, Florida
And he caught a freight train and and took off on the run
Well, run, Johnny, run
They're rolling right behind you
Run, Johnny, run
You know they're gonna find you
You come out late at night, 'cause you're running for your life

Hum, Johnny Porter
Johnny Porter
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Well, it's a shame the way you make your mother worry
And it's hurts inside to sit and watch her cry
And it will be a long time before she knows the answer
But it won't be long before she will see ya die
Well, I was standing in my front door early this morning
So sad, when I heard my name was said
Johnny Porter was no good than anybody
But I hate to see him throw his life away

Now, run, Johnny, run
They're rolling right behind you
Run, Johnny, run
You know they're gonna find you
You come out late at night, 'cause you're running for your life

Well, Johnny Porter, Johnny Porter
Found him holed up in some dark and dirty building
Heard his mother begging, "Please, let Johnny go!"
That's when John fired his pistol
As a warning and he said,
"I was born to die by the gun"
"I was born to die by the gun"
"I was born to die by the gun"