Frankie and Johnnie was sweethearts
Oh how they did love
They swore to be true to each other
As true as the stars above
He was her man, oh Lord
But he done her wrong
Frankie went down to the barroom
Just for a bucket 'a beer
She asked that barroom tender
"Has my love Johnnie been here?"
"He is my man, oh Lord"
"But he done me wrong"
You oughta ask me no questions
And I'll tell you no lie
Your love left here 'bout half an hour ago
With a girl called Nellie Bly
He was your man, oh Lord
But he done you wrong
Frankie went down to the???
She had a little white apron on
And under that little white apron
She carried a .44 smokeless gun
She's a-lookin' for her man, oh Lord
He's a-done her wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
And she saw to her surprise
There on the cot sat Johnnie
Makin' love to Nella Bly
He was her man, oh Lord
But he done her wrong
Frankie drew back the kimono
And she pulled a little .44
It's "rook-a-toot-toot", three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man, oh Lord
He's a-done her wrong
You can bring around a thousand policemen
You can bring them 'round the day
They locked me down in that cell
And threw that key away
Cause I shot my man, oh Lord
He done me wrong
Frankie said to the warden
What are they gonna do?
And the warden said to Frankie
The electric chair's for you
Cause you shot your man, oh Lord
That done you wrong
Now this story has no tomorrow
And this story has no end
And this story, it just goes to show
There ain't no good in men
Cause I shot my man, Lord, Lord
He's a-done me wrong