Johnny Porter

Ry Cooder

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"