Beneath the bare light bulb above
She gazed into the eyes of love
Bathed in the dirty neon lights
She begged him "don't go out tonight"

If we work out somehow maybe
We could find a way out baby
And he laughed and said: I got to go

And she cried: No
Johnny, Johnny no
Oh Johnny, Johnny no

His arms were warm and strong and young
I promise I won't hurt no one

Oh baby when you gonna learn
Them folks uptown got bread to burn
When they see me flash my knife
They'll be fearing for their live
They won't give me trouble this I know

And she cried: No
Oh Johnny, Johnny no
Johnny, Johnny no

The night passed like a thousand years
The tenemant room had culled her tears
Then came a knock upon the door
Two men she'd never seen before

Did you know Johnny Brown miss?
We hate to tell you this but
Has he a relative you know?

And she cried: No
Oh Johnny, Johnny no
Oh Johnny why'd you go?