Come On Johnny

Lyrics:
In the state of Arkansas, following the Civil War
A reformer was elected named James Hinds
For former slaves and dark skinned folks, he secured the right to vote
His admirers left a coffin at his door
But James Hinds he was brave, he continued to campaign
While escaping from pursuers at each turn
When the Ku Klux Klan were told he was coming to Monroe
And they swore they'd paint the county with his blood

Chorus:
"My name is James M. Hinds, I am shot and will shortly die
Please bring this to my wife. Wife, take care of the girls."

With the Reverend Joseph Brooks, they caught a steamboat at Pine Bluff
And were headed northward early in the day
Word was passed behind raised hands, "That's James Hinds the Congressman."
And the captain put them off at Indian Bay
As they stumbled into town, there was not a soul around
But this Klansman by the name George Walker Clark
He knew them at a glance, but pretended ignorance,
Showed them the way, then ran to get his gun

Chorus

He came riding up behind, shot the Reverend in the thigh
Then discharged the second barrel into James
George Walker Clark it is a fact, shot James Hinds in the back
With his double barrel gun at point blank range
Just a mile from Indian Bay, the sheriff looked the other way
He would not arrest or charge the guilty one
But he quietly arranged to transport the man's remains
To the governor then billed him for the cost

Chorus

When they carried him through town, the black citizens poured out
For three quarters of a mile they filled the street
Brother, ring your freedom bell, George Walker Clark, go rot in hell
You will never know the depth of your defeat
On that lonely forest road, he lay bleeding out his soul
Thinking mostly of his daughter and his wife
With his final dying strength, he drew out a fountain pen
And he wrote upon the lining of his hat...

Chorus

Live: The Ballad Of James M. Hinds

Poor Peter

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