Johnny was working hard just like his father
Cutting lumber at the sawmill all day through
In the evening hanging out at the diner
Watching Betty working, and her eyes so blue

Betty was the girl he'd always wanted
But she was married to a man doing time
He was violent and mean, Bobby was his name
She knew when he got out, he'd do another crime

He got out on parole, and heard she was untrue
So he beat her up real bad, and drove away
She explained how she had fallen down the stairs again
But Johnny knew the truth, and swore he'd make him pay

He put the hammer down, and thundered down the road
He drove all night from town to town
But Bobby knew he'd come, so he waited
And at the break of dawn he shot poor Johnny down

He set fire to the body and headed home
Betty was closing up the diner when he came
She bolted the door but he brought gasoline
And through the flames she called out Johnny's name