Frankie and Johnny were lovers Oh lord how they could love They swore to be true to each other Just as true as the stars above He was her man ( ) But he did her wrong Frankie went down to the bar room To buy her Johnny a beer Said to the bartender Has my ever-lovin' Johnny been here? He is my man ( ) But he's doin' me wrong. I cannot tell you no story I cannot tell you no lie Johnny left about an hour ago With a gal named Nellie Bly He is your man ( ) But he's doin' you wrong. Frankie went down The Broadway With a forty four in her hand Said "Stand aside all you chorus gals I'm a-lookin' for my man!" He is my man ( ) But he's doin' me wrong. The first time she shot him he staggered The next time she shot him he fell The last time she shot him oh lord There was another man's face in hell He was her man ( ) But he did her wrong. This is how I play it...with a bit of the melody cross-picked over the chords. The lyrics are a variant on one of those collected by John and Alan Lomax and the chords are a little jazzier than the standard versions.