He came across the desert and he struggeled through the wind
And at last he crossed the mighty Rio Grande

And everybody trembled when they saw him coming in
Cause though he looked tired he was quite a man
He just sat down with his guitar in his hand
And he said "My name is Johnny Jonathan"

Use your guitar Johnny, play your lonely songs for me
Lighten up this dusty old saloon
Tell us 'bout your journeys over land and over sea
Sing of the tender love beneath the moon

All of us here are as lonely as you
Though we sit together in this stinking crowd
Sing Johnny, sing, let us hear of your blues
Let your voice ring them out all clear and loud
Yes, let your voice ring them out all clear and loud

He sang about the Mexicans, he sang about the war
He sang of everything from here to there
And suddenly we understood what we were living for
The reason for our living came all clear
The reason for it all was now and here

Use your guitar Johnny, play your lonely songs for me
Let's hear more about the things they tell
Fill our hearts with currage for our lonely destinies
Help us living through this lonely hell

Tonight is the night when our lesson is told
And the wine will last until we have to part
Sing Johnny, sing, and before we get old
We will learn how to mend our broken hearts

Oh, use your guitar Johnny, play your lonely songs for me
Lighten up this dusty old saloon
Tell us 'bout your journeys over land and over sea
Sing of tender love beneath the moon

All of us here are as lonely as you
Though we sit together in this stinking crowd
Sing Johnny, sing, let us here of your blues
Let your voice ring them out all clear and loud
Let your voice ring them out all clear and loud