Song picture
Two Dimes and a Nickel
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A song about a true story that happened in McDowell County, WV.
Artist picture
We are a bluegrass band that plays a wide variety of material but acoustically on bluegrass instruments.
South 52 is comprised of Stacy Grubb and Jessi Shumate on vocals, Charlie Davis on dobro and banjo, Steve Acord on fiddle and mandolin, Nathan Lawson on guitar, and Alan Johnston on bass and vocals. They play a wide range of songs from rock to country but do it all on bluegrass instruments.
Song Info
Genre
Country • Bluegrass
Charts
Peak #58
Peak in subgenre #6
Author
Alan Johnston
Rights
Yes
Uploaded
May 04, 2008
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.7 MB • 128 kbps • 6:12
Story behind the song
Song about a man who killed another man over 25 cents in a card game in the 1890s.
Lyrics
Two Dimes and a Nickel John Hardy was a gamblin’ man, that’s what the old folks say In a West Virginia coal mine is how he earned his pay While playin’ cards and shootin’ dice one cold and dreary day Over two dimes and a nickel he killed a man they say He ran off down to Keystone just out around the ridge The sheriff of McDowell County saw him standin’ on the bridge He walked up to John Hardy and he took him by the arm And said, “There’s a lynch mob after you, and they want to do you harm” (CHO) Lawd, Lawd, poor John Hardy look what you have done Two dimes and a nickel has put you on the run You cannot kiss your children, now, or hold your darlin’ wife Two dimes and a nickel, son, is costing you your life He took John Hardy down to Welch and locked him up that night You oughta seen that poor boy cry it was a dreadful sight He cried out to the jailer, “Go tell my darlin’ wife” “They’ve locked me up here in this place and I’m ‘bout to lose my life” His wife came down to see him in the McDowell County jail He cried, “Go tell my mamma to come and go my bail” The jailer slowly shook his head and took her by the hand There is no bail for anyone who kills another man (Repeat Cho) John Hardy fell down on his knees and you shoulda heard him cry He said, “Lord, have mercy on my soul I know I’m bound to die” “My days on earth are numbered and I know my race is run” “Forgive me for my drunken ways and this awful thing I’ve done” They found John Hardy guilty and sentenced him to hang And a song that he had written was the last song that he sang He told the ones who came down to his hangin’ there to see Stay away from gamblin’, boys, and let that whiskey be DOC © 1/28/03 by Alan Johnston
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Pinecats
May 22, 2008
This song just gets better and better at every listen. Man can your kid sing! She's a pro! This and Muddy Water both sound like re-mixes souped up with that fiddle. Great story and a cool new version! Five Stars from Pine...
kwedvik
May 06, 2008
Yee Haw! Top Notch! Now that's BLUEGRASS!