On American Pastimes: John Hardy Wasn't a Desperate Little Man - American Pastimes
On American Pastimes: John Hardy Wasn't a Desperate Little Man Desperate: In dire need; being filled with, or in a state of despair or hopelessness; without regard to danger or safety; extreme (in a bad sense). John Hardy was a desperate little man He carried two guns every day He shot down a man on that West Virginia line You oughta seen John Hardy getting away So begins âJohn Hardyâ an American murder ballad based upon a historical account. John Hardy was an African-American railroad worker in McDowell County, West Virginia. In the spring of 1893 he was shooting craps and drinking...
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