(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"