Johnny

Johnny was raised in the city

And in that he rejoiced

And the lovers he chose

Didn't have no choice

And the lies that he told

Didn't lose him no sleep

And he knew he was a killer

On a winning streak

Is that any way for a man to live

When he's given all that he had to give?

Wasn't it strange that he wanted to die?

Wasn't it strange that nobody cried?

Come winter of '65

He was working the racetrack

He bet everything he had

Even the shirt on his friend's back

Got a tip about the horse

From Gino the Gorilla

'Twas the beginning of the end

For our bold young killer

Is that any way for a man to live

When he's given all that he had to give?

Wasn't it strange that he wanted to die?

Wasn't it strange that nobody cried?

Gino had blown it

And Johnny, he owed a lot of bread

And he remembered what the boys had told him

And Johnny fled

They found him in the East River

With a bullet in his eye

And Johnny was free

At the age of twenty-five

Is that any way for a man to live

When he's given all that he had to give?

Wasn't it strange that he wanted to die?

Wasn't it strange that nobody cried?

Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord

Is that any way for a man to live

When he's given all that he had to give?

Wasn't it strange that he wanted to, ha, up and die?

Wasn't it strange nobody cried for this poor boy?

Is that any way for a man to live

When he's given all that he had to give?

Lordy, Lordy, gave all he had

Wasn't it strange that he wanted to die?

Wasn't it strange that nobody cried?