John Hardy (Trad.) Tabbed by PSimonR email [email protected] Based on the Peter Price Version (it’s on Youtube) This is a great sing-along version. There are other tabs about - one of a Leadbelly version that I can’t play along with any recording of it (!), and a couple of fancy flat-picking versions that are just too hard for me. Bass / Strum style Basically there are two bars, one based off a C chord and one based off a G chord. Don’t worry too much about playing the extra open strings, except for the bottom E on the C bars where you can damp it with your thumb. The tune is played on the bass strings and the high strings are used for the accompaniment. C G E|----0----0----0----0---|----3----3----3----3---| B|----1----1----1----1---|----0----0----0----0---| G|----0----0----0----0---|----0----0----0----0---| D|------0h2---3----2-----|----0----0----0----0---| A|--3--------------------|------0h2--------------| E|-----------------------|---3--------3----3-----| Then there’s some variations, especially on the G G(v1) E|----3----3----3----3---| B|----0----0----0----0---| G|----0----0----0----0---| D|-------------2-----0---| A|------0h2--------------| E|--3-------------3------| G(v2) E|----3----3----3----3---| B|----0----0----0----0---| G|----0----0------2p0----| D|-----------2p0---------| A|------0h2--------------| E|--3--------------------| G(v3) E|----3----3----3----3---| B|----0----0----0----0---| G|----0----0----0----0---| D|-----------------------| A|------oh2-------oh2----| E|--3---------3----------| And in parts of the song the strum upstroke is also played. There are different lyrics for different versions, e.g Carter Family, Tony Rice, look ‘em up and pick out / make up your own. These are similar to Peter’s and include a PG rated verse about his lover. Intro: C |G |C |G |C |G |Gv1|Gv1|Gv2|G | Verse: C |Gv3 | John Hardy was a desp’rate little man C |Gv3 | He carried two guns everyday C |Gv3 | He shot down a man on the West Virginia line Gv3 |Gv3 |Gv3 |Gv3 | You oughta seen John Hardy gettin’ away (poor boy) Gv3 |Gv3 |Gv3 |Gv3 | You oughta seen John Hardy gettin’ away John Hardy got to the east stone bridge He thought that he would be free And up stepped a deputy and took him by the arm Saying Johnny, walk along with me Saying Johnny, walk along with me Repeat Intro He sent for his poppy and his mommy too To come down and stand his bail But bail won't go on a murdering case And they locked John Hardy back in jail (poor boy) And they locked John Hardy back in jail John Hardy had a lovin’ little wife The dress that she wore was blue Fell to her knees, a’screaming and a’cryin’ O Johnny I been true to you (poor boy) O Johnny I been True to you John Hardy had a pretty little lover The dress that she wore was red She sent to the jail house where Johnny lies I’m gonna miss John Hardy in my bed (poor boy) I’m gonna miss John Hardy in my bed (know what I’m talking about) Repeat Intro (loud then quiet) John Hardy stood in his cold prison cell, The tears running down from his eyes. He said, "I've been the death of many a poor boy. Now I am ready to die (oh Lord) Now I am ready to die” "I've been to the east and I've been to the west I've been this wide world round I've been to the river and I've been baptized Take me to my hanging ground, (oh Lord) Take me to my hanging ground” Repeat Intro and fade
