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John Hardy

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Amajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

John Hardy as recorded by Leadbelly
Tune every string a whole tone down
like this  D   G   C   F   Ad
hence the song is in the key of G
John AHardy, he Dwas a dEesperate little man 
He cAarried two gDuns every dEay
He Ashot a mDan on the WEest Virginia line
I sEeen John Hardy getting’ away poor boy
I sEeen John Hardy getting’ away
John HAardy went Dup on that EKeystone bridge
AHe Dthought he was fEree
AUp came a Dman and he cEaught him by the arm 
Said "EJohnny, come and go with me poor boy,
EJohnny, come and go with me"
John HAardy had a moDther and a fEather too
He bAegged them to cDome and go his bEail
There was Ano bail alloDwed for the mEurderin’ man
They cEhased John Hardy back in jail poor boy
They cEhased John Hardy back in jail
John HAardy he hDad a prEetty little wife 
AAnd the dress she wDore was Eblue
She Acome to the jDailhouse wEith a loud shout
Said “EJohnny I been true to you poor boy,
EJohnny I been true to you”
John HAardy, was stDanding Ein his cell
And tAears are rDollin’ down his Eeyes
Said, "I Ahave been at the Ddeath of mEany a poor man
And Enow I am ready to die poor boy
And Enow I am ready to die"
I’ve Abeen to the Deast I've Ebeen to the west 
I've Abeen the whDole wide wEorld around
I've Abeen to the rDiver and EI've been to baptized
ETake me to my hanging ground Lord, Lord
EAnd take me to my hanging ground
there will be a tab version so you can play the melody and chords all together
enjoy
salud amigos!

All chords in this song (6)

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John Hardy

by Leadbelly

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

John Hardy as recorded by Leadbelly

Tune every string a whole tone down

D G C F A

like this d

hence the song is in the key of G

A D E

John Hardy, he was a desperate little man

A D E

He carried two guns every day

A D E

He shot a man on the West Virginia line

I seen John Hardy getting’ away poor boy

I seen John Hardy getting’ away

A D E

John Hardy went up on that Keystone bridge

A D E

He thought he was free

A D E

Up came a man and he caught him by the arm

Said "Johnny, come and go with me poor boy,

Johnny, come and go with me"

A D E

John Hardy had a mother and a father too

A D E

He begged them to come and go his bail

A D E

There was no bail allowed for the murderin’ man

They chased John Hardy back in jail poor boy

They chased John Hardy back in jail

A D E

John Hardy he had a pretty little wife

A D E

And the dress she wore was blue

A D E

She come to the jailhouse with a loud shout

Said “Johnny I been true to you poor boy,

Johnny I been true to you”

A D E

John Hardy, was standing in his cell

A D E

And tears are rollin’ down his eyes

A D E

Said, "I have been at the death of many a poor man

And now I am ready to die poor boy

And now I am ready to die"

A D E

I’ve been to the east I've been to the west

A D E

I've been the whole wide world around

A D E

I've been to the river and I've been to baptized

Take me to my hanging ground Lord, Lord

And take me to my hanging ground

there will be a tab version so you can play the melody and chords all together

enjoy

salud amigos!

About John Hardy Chords by Leadbelly

Learn how to play John Hardy by Leadbelly with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Hardy chords”, “John Hardy guitar chords”, or “Leadbelly John Hardy chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy John Hardy chords and for experienced players who want accurate John Hardy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, C, F, A, E.

FAQ — John Hardy by Leadbelly

How do I play "John Hardy" by Leadbelly on guitar?

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Are the chords for "John Hardy" by Leadbelly free?

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Can I transpose "John Hardy" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "John Hardy" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "John Hardy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "John Hardy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "John Hardy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "John Hardy" by Leadbelly with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leadbelly below.

What key is "John Hardy" in?

The chords for "John Hardy" show the original chord names (including D, G, C, F, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.