Ry Cooder Johnny Porter
(Bobby Ray Appleberry, William Cuomo) Johnny Porter was the oldest in his family And I remember he was almost twenty one Y'know I can't quite explain the situation But he broke into his father's truck and stole a gun Mother running down the highway screaming Johnny it's too bad, oh it's too and it's bad And it's too bad Well, his father wonders where he got the money And he wonders if he got it right or wrong Then Johnny killed a man in Pensacola, Florida And he caught a freight train and and took off on the run Well, run, Johnny, run They're rolling right behind you Run, Johnny, run You know they're gonna find you You come out late at night, 'cause you're running for your life Hum, Johnny Porter Johnny Porter Yeah, yeah, yeah Well, it's a shame the way you make your mother worry And it's hurts inside to sit and watch her cry And it will be a long time before she knows the answer But it won't be long before she will see ya die Well, I was standing in my front door early this morning So sad, when I heard my name was said Johnny Porter was no good than anybody But I hate to see him throw his life away Now, run, Johnny, run They're rolling right behind you Run, Johnny, run You know they're gonna find you You come out late at night, 'cause you're running for your life Well, Johnny Porter, Johnny Porter Found him holed up in some dark and dirty building Heard his mother begging, "Please, let Johnny go!" That's when John fired his pistol As a warning and he said, "I was born to die by the gun" "I was born to die by the gun" "I was born to die by the gun"