The Betrayal of Johnnie Armstrong - Michael Martin Murphey

Come all you border ratters and listen to my song

The story has been told before and i’ll not detain you long

It’s a tale of Johnnie Armstrong and the King who did betray

A man of trust and honesty, his cattle taken by the enemy

But they hung him from the gallow tree Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

A some called him a reaver and there are those who say

That all down through new castle, blackmail to Johnnie paid

From the tower at Gilnockie to the shadowlands below

Blowed the outlaw royalty with honour and integrity

But they hung him from the gallow tree Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

A plan relayed with whispers to bring poor Johnnie down

A gathering at carlon rigg, with the northern crown

Then the message was delivered, John you must come today

The king said Johnnie come to me, your safety i will guarantee

But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

And with eight hundred ratters, his men they did surround

But with five and thirty he lost the upper ground

No bargain then was offered no bargain then was made

Johnnie offered whites twenty three, gold, black, meal, property

But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

Kings don’t need competition from broken men like you

The English Queen is nervous, so your even days are through

The sentence was delivered, with death he had to pay

The rope returned his liberty, from Earthly troubles set him free

But they hung him from the gallows tree Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away

Johnnie Armstrong’s gone away