Don't let me do what must be done"
"Frankie, don't shoot, I swear I won't treat you wrong no more"
She stood outside, she rang that bell
He said, "Frankie, I saw Johnny about one hour ago
There's twelve men going to the graveyard
That's for sure, 'cause by the time she was done with that gun
Her man was not gonna treat her wrong no more
She cried, "Hold me back
Hold me back, take away my gun
Sure enough there Johnny was with Nellie Bly
Just to buy one suit of clothes
He was heading over, going to see Miss Nellie Bly"
Frankie went on over to that coke joint
She said, "Alright, Johnny, you're my loving man
Roll out your rubber tired hacks
She asked that bartending man
"Tell me, has my sweet Johnny been here?"
I'm gonna shoot you sure as hell"
And if I find you in here I'm gonna shoot you
Hold me back, hold me back
She ordered herself one glass of beer
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no lie"
He sees the gun in Frankie's hand, he says
Somebody, won't you please hold me back
Frankie went down to the barroom
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no stories"
Roll out your rubber tired carriages
She gave her man Johnny a hundred dollar bill