Down in Houston, Texas on a Christmas night
With a gun in his hand and his name up in lights
Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,
He put a 22 pistol right up to his head
Then he smiled at the ladies
Now Johnny Ace is dead
The band leader set his saxophone down
And said, "I think I better split before the cops come 'round"
Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,
He put a 22 pistol right up to his head
Then he smiled at the ladies
Now Johnny Ace is dead
When Johnny came home to Memphis, Tennessee
Everyone on Beale Street came out to see
Big Mama cried, "Dear Lord," Big Mama said,
He put a 22 pistol right up to his head
Then he smiled at the ladies
Now Johnny Ace is dead