Frankie and johnnie were sweet hearts. they had a quarrel one
Day. johnny vowed he would leave her.
He said he was going away. never coming home. goin' away to
Roam.

"my love, johnny, please stay. now, oh, my honey, i've done
You wrong but please don't go away."
Then johnny sighed while frankie cried.

Chorus:
"oh, i'm a-going away. i'm a-goin' to stay. never coming
Home. you're gonna miss me ,honey, in the days to come
When the winter winds begin to blow, the ground is covered up
And when you think of the way, you're gonna wish me back, your
Lovin' man,
You're gonna miss me, honey, in the day they say's to
Come."

Frankie done said to her johnny, "now man your hour done
Come." "cause from behind her kimono she drew her
Forty-four gun.
"these love affairs are hard to bear!"
Johnny, he fled down the stairway. "my love, frankie, don't
Shoot!" frankie done aimed the forty-four
While the town went rooty-toot-toot. as johnny fell, then
Frankie yelled,

(chorus)

"send for your rubber tired hearses. send for your rubber
Tired hacks. carry old johnny to the graveyard, i've shot him in
The back
With a great big gun as the preacher begun.
Send for some policeman to take me right away. lock me down in
The dungeon cell and throw the key away.
My johnny's dead because he said.

(chorus)