Traditional, with many variations. This arrangement is based on Jimmie Rodgers' 1929
version, which made it famous. On most of his collections, including The Jimmie Rodgers
Memorial Album.
lyrics
Frankie and Johnny
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts – O Lordie how they could love!
They swore to be true to each other, just as true as the stars above
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie and Johnny went walking, John in his brand new suit
"Then o good Lord," says Frankie, "don't my Johnny look real cute!"
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Chords: C – – C7 / F – – C / G7 – C –
Frankie was a good woman, and Johnny such a good man
And every last dime that she made went right into Johnny's hand
But he was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner, just for a bucket of beer
She said to the fat bartender, "Has my lovingest man been here?
He is my man, he wouldn't do me wrong"
"I don't want to cause you no trouble, & I don't want to tell you no lie
But I saw your man an hour ago with a gal named Alice Bly
If he's your man, he's a-doing you wrong"
Frankie looked over the transom, and found to her great surprise
That there on the cot sat Johnny, a-loving up Alice Bly
But he was her man, but he done her wrong
Frankie drew back her kimono, took out her 44
"Root-a-toot-toot," three times she shot, right through that hardwood floor
She shot her man 'cause he was doing her wrong
"Roll me over easy, roll me over slow
Roll me on the side, 'cause that bullet hurt me so
I was her man, but I done her wrong"
The judge said to the jury, "It's as plain as plain can be"
This woman shot her lover, it's murder in the second degree
He was her man, though he done her wrong"
This story has no moral, this story has no end
This story only goes to show that there ain't no good in men
They'll do you wrong, just as sure as you're born
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