Johnny was my lover, Johnny he was shy, Gentle and so tender, he never would hurt a fly. Big Joe was the boss man, rich and mean was he, I was Johnny's woman, but Big Joe wanted me. Oh my Johnny, with the gentle hands I'm waiting, Oh my Johnny, with the gentle hands I'm true. Till they take away your hammer, and unchain those iron bands, I'll be waiting, Johnny with the gentle hands. One night Big Joe caught me on my way to town, Drived me in the shadows, threw me all around. Johnny heard me holler, raving mad he ran, Grabbed Joe by the collar, killed him with his gentle hands. Sheriff caught my Johnny, took him off to jail, Wouldn't even let me see him, wouldn't let me go his bail. I'll be true to Johnny, till the day I die, And if I never see him, I'll meet him on the other side. Oh my Johnny, with the gentle hands I'm waiting, Oh my Johnny, with the gentle hands I'm true. Till they take away your hammer, and unchain those iron bands, I'll be waiting, Johnny with the gentle hands. Johnny with the gentle hands, Johnny with the gentle hands. Johnny with the gentle hands, Johnny with the gentle hands.