Frankie and me we were lovers,
oh Lordy how we could love;
Swore we'd be true to each other,
just as true as stars above,
I was her man, she caught me doing her wrong.
My luck in poker was fading,
when a new gal caught my eye;
I gambled, I tried to change my luck,
with a chick named Nellie Bly,
I was Frankie's man, but I was doing her wrong.
Yeah! Frankie came looking to find me, yes,
she wasn't looking for fun;
For in her sweet loving hand,
she was totin' a 44 gun,
To shoot her man, if he was doin' her wrong.
Well Frankie walked into the bar room,
and right there in front of her eyes;
There was her loving Johnny,
making love to that Nellie Bly,
I was her man, she caught me doing her wrong.
Frankie, I beg, please don't shoot me,
well they'll put you away in a cell;
You know they'll put you where the cold
wind blows, from the hottest corner in hell,
I'm your man, I know I done you wrong.
Easy on the roll, real easy,
easy on the roll, real slow;
Roll me over real gently,
cause my wound hurts me so,
Well I was her man, well I done her wrong.
Well Frankie told Johnny,
well this is the end of my song;
I was her man, well I done her wrong,
Well, hey, hey, hey, hey, done her wrong.