Getaway John
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
Get away, get away
Poor John
John Hardy was a fightin' man
Carried a razor ev'ry day
He killed a man in Mobile town
You ought to see my Johnny get away
You ought to see my Johnny get away
Get away
Get away, get away
Poor John
John Hardy was standin' at the bar
So drunk he could not see
Along came a sheriff with a warrant in his hand
"Johnny boy, you'd better come with me
Yeah, Johnny boy, you'd better come with me"
John Hardy had a pretty little gal
Kept her dressed in blue
He saw her in the hangin' crowd
Cryin', "Johnny boy, I'll be true to you
Johnny boy, I'll be true to you"
True to you
True to you, true to you
Poor, John
I've been to the East and I've been to the West
Been this whole world 'round
I've been to the North and I lived in the South
This will be my buryin' ground
This will be my buryin' ground
Well, I've been this wide world over
Been this whole world 'round
Been to the river and I've been baptized
Take me to my buryin' ground
Get away, get away, get away
Getaway John
The Kingston Trio's 1964 recording of 'Getaway John' stands as a pivotal moment in folk-rock history, marking the group's bold transition from traditional acoustic folk to a more electric, rock-oriented sound. Released during a period of significant musical experimentation, the track features the band's signature harmonies layered over a driving rhythm section, reflecting the era's shift toward integrating blues and rock elements within the folk tradition. While the song's origins are rooted in American folk storytelling, its specific arrangement by the trio reimagined the material for a younger, rock-influenced audience. This recording exemplifies the Kingston Trio's ability to evolve their catalogue, maintaining their core vocal style while embracing the sonic textures that would define the mid-1960s folk-rock movement. The piece remains a notable example of how established folk acts navigated changing musical landscapes in the 1960s.