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 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