Johnson he was riding along, fast as he could ride
When he thought he heard a woman, he heard a woman cry.

Johnson getting off his horse, searchin' the woods all round
Till he came upon a woman with her hair pinned to the ground.

Johnson bein' a man of his own, bein' a man and bold,
He has taken off his overcoat to cover her from the cold.

" Oh woman, dearest woman, who brought you here to span,
Who that brought you here this gay mornin' with your hair pinned to the ground? "

" It was three bold and strugglin' men with swords keen in hand,
Who that brought me here this gay mornin' with me hair pinned to the ground. "

Johnson gettin' on his horse and the woman gettin' on behind,
They rode down that lonesome highway, their fortune for to find.

As they were ridin' on along, fast as they could ride
She has thrown her fingers to her lip and gave three shiverin' cries.

Out sprang three bold and strugglin' men with swords keen in hand
Who that commanded Johnson, commanded him to stand.

" Oh, I will stand " said Johnson, "I'll stand then " said he,
" For I never was in all of me life afraid of any three ".

Johnson he's killed two of them, not mindin' the woman behind;
While he was at the other one, she stabbed him from behind.

The day was free and a market day - the people all passin' by
Could have seen this awful murder, could have seen poor Johnson die.

- From the singing of Johnny Moynihan on " Moonshine "