The Lonesome Death of Johnny Ace

Big, great Johnny Ace
Snapped his pistol in your face
Blew his brains to outer space
On Christmas day
Christmas day

He was born a preacher's son
Johnny liked to have his fun
Too bad he liked to play with guns
Shame on Johnny Ace

All the whores in the Mitchell Hotel
Have a story they love to tell
How he blew his soul to hell
On Christmas day
Christmas day

Shame, shame, Johnny Ace

Silent night, holy night
Christmas star shining bright
Johnny finally got it right
Shame on Johnny Ace

In the showers, that's where the story goes
Stuck that pistol up his nose
Shame on Johnny Ace

Girlfriend sittin' on his lap
Gave that pistol one more snap
Then he went to take that long dirt nap
Goodbye, Johnny Ace

Shame, shame, Johnny Ace
Shame, Johnny Ace

Down on Beale Street they shook their head
When they heard that Johnny Ace was dead
"That's the way it goes," that's what they said
Shame on Johnny Ace

Shame, shame, Johnny Ace

Pimps and pushers carried him down
Cadillac to the burying ground
Can't you hear that coughing sound?
Johnny Ace
So long, Johnny Ace

Shame, shame, Johnny Ace

Johnny sang like a turtle dove
Smoother than a velvet glove
When he sang "Fledging My Love"
Poor old Johnny AceShame, shame, Johnny Hayes
Saw my fiddle and saw my bow
Now I can't play my fiddle no more
Shame, shame, Johnny Hayes
Shame, shame, Johnny Hayes

Play great Johnny Hayes
Stab his pistol in your face
Blew his brains to outer space

On Christmas Day
Christmas Day
On Christmas Day
Shame, shame, Johnny Hayes
Shame, shame, Johnny Hayes