Johnson said to Willie
Oh one friday night
Sure you can come to my father's house
Sure you take your life.
Ain't it hard, Lord, ain't it hard.

Willie went to his father's house
On one Saturday eve
Johnson shot that poor boy
Fell upon his knees.
Ain't it hard, Lord, ain't it hard.

O Lord oh me, oh Lord, oh my
I shot little willie Lord, he's bound to die
Ain't it hard...

Oh Lord, oh me
Trouble I can see
I shot little Willie, Lord
Police after me
Ain't it hard...

Oh (Lord) Officer O'Daniel
How can it be
All around my bedside
Poor Willie creeps
Ain't it hard...

Oh Lord, oh me
Oh Lord, oh my
I shot little Willie, Lord
He's bound to die
Ain't it hard...

Went to the country
To get me a drink of gin
When I got back, Lord
Police took me in
Ain't it hard...

Rubber tire buggy
Rubber tire hack
Took him to the cemetery
Won't bring him back,
Ain't it hard...