Johnny was raised in the city,
And in that he rejoiced.
And the lovers he chose,
Didn't have no choice.
And the lives that he tore,
Didn't lose him no sleep.
And he knew he was a killer,
On a winning streak.
Is that any way for a man to live?
When he's given all that he had, to give.
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
verse 2
Come winter of 65'
He was working the race track.
He bet everything he had,
Even the shirt on his friend's back.
Got a tip about the horse from
Gino the gorilla.
Was the beginning of the end,
For our bold, young killer.
Is that any way for a man to live?
When he's given all that he had, to give.
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
Interlude
verse 3
Gino had blown it and Johnny,
He owed a lot of bread.
And he remembered what the boys had told him and,
Johnny fled.
They found him in the east river
With a bullet in his eye.
And Johnny was free
At the age of 25.
Is that any way for a man to live?
When he's given all that he had, to give.
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
Bridge
Lord, lord, lord, lord!
Is that any way for a,
A man to live?
When he's given all that he,
He had to give.
Wasn't it strange?
That he wanted to,
Up and die.
Wasn't it strange?
Nobody cried for this poor boy.
Is that any way for a man to live?
When he's given all that he had, to give.
Wasn't it strange, that he wanted to die?
Wasn't it strange, that nobody cried?
Outro