Run John Run

Run John Run, racin’ through the cornfields
Run John Run, you best not stay
Run John Run, hidin’ in the canebreak
Run John Run, Night Riders on the way

Good gal Katy and Baby Joe
You got to protect ‘em
Daddy Zeke and Auntie Flo
Got to keep ‘em safe, got to keep ‘em safe, got to keep ‘em safe

Run John Run, down to the river
Run John Run, hear what I say
Run John Run, dashin’ through the woods now
Run John Run, Night Riders on the way

Ain’t gonna work their farm no more
Not since abolition
Won’t be no slave to the comp’ny store
It’s a whole new day, it’s a whole new day, it’s a whole new day

Run John Run, headin’ for the border
Run John Run, you’re gonna get away
Run John Run, the gates of Zion callin’
Run John Run, there’s gonna be a brand new day