Beneath the bare light bulb above
She gazed into the eyes of love
Bathed in the dirty neon light
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 fearin' for their life
They won't give me trouble this I know"
And she cried no oh Johnny Johnny no
Johnny Johnny Johnny no

The night passed like a thousand years
The tenement room had cooled 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
Johnny Johnny why'd you go?
Oh Johnny Johnny no johnny Johnny Johnny no