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Banjo tablatures for John Hardy

Bill Monroe

Recomended level: Intermediate

Tags: #vocal song, #instrumental, #bluesy, #old time

"John Hardy" is a traditional American folk song based on a train worker's life in the spring of 1893 in McDowell County, West Virginia. It is assumed that the legendary John Hardy got into a drunken fight during a craps game held near Keystone, and a man named Thomas Drews was subsequently killed. In the first degree, Hardy was found guilty of murder and was hanged on January 19, 1894, reportedly witnessed by 3,000 men. It is assumed that Hardy had made peace with the Lord by being immersed in a stream the day before his burial. The track was attributed to Eva Davis for Columbia in 1924, to Ernest Stoneman for Okeh in 1925, and to Buell Kazee for Brunswick in 1927 by various musicians from the 1920s through the present. Lyrics differ from edition to version, as with many other traditional folk songs. The ballads of John Hardy and John Henry were misunderstood by early folk historians. This has contributed to a combination of Hardy and Henry-related stories. The real John Henry was simply a truck maker, not a train operator.

  • Banjo John Hardy Scruggs Style

    Scruggs Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This version of John Hardy is loosely based on Bela Fleck's arrangement on Tony Rice's Cold on the Shoulder Record. It's super driving!

    Banjo John Hardy Scruggs Style
    Learn
  • Banjo John Hardy Melodic Style

    Melodic Style

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    A melodic version of John Hardy featuring both melodic and single string styles to give you a technical and flashy break.

    Banjo John Hardy Melodic Style
    Learn
  • Banjo John Hardy Backup

    Backup

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      120 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    This backup arrangement of John Hardy goes fluidly between vamping chords and playing classic Scruggs style backup licks.

    Banjo John Hardy Backup
    Learn



Practicing Tips

John Hardy, a diverse learning resource on Tunefox, offers a wide range of bluegrass banjo tablatures in Scruggs, Melodic, and Backup styles. Ideal for intermediate players, it focuses on the instrumental version of this bluesy, old time, vocal song. Whether you want to learn new licks, create custom arrangements or increase your playing speed, this resource provides a variety of tools to help you achieve your goals.


One of the most vital features of this learning resource is the Lick Switcher. It allows you to add new licks and view the song from different angles. The hidden licks available in each measure allow you to experience a plethora of variations for the song, ensuring every arrangement is a unique creation. Simply tap the measure to discover the licks hidden within.


The Arrange slider is another excellent tool found in this learning resource. It permits easy and accurate customization of the song's difficulty level. Sliding to the left removes many of the "fill-in" notes, showing the core arrangement in the tablature. Sliding to the right fills up the arrangement with extra notes, making the full song apparent.


The tempo slider is a valuable tool that helps you change the pace of the song. This, coupled with backing tracks, enhances your practice sessions by replicating the experience of playing with a band. To maximize the effectiveness of your practice, focus on selected measures and repeat them. The 'Speed Up' function facilitates progressive increases in the playback tempo. Play the song at a comfortable speed, and 'Speed Up' will incrementally increase the tempo each time you play through.


John Hardy empowers you to take control of your learning experience and guides you in discovering new ways to interpret this timeless piece. Happy learning!


John Hardy lyrics

Traditional

Now John Hardy was a desperate little man,
Strapped on his guns every day.
Shot down a man on the West Virginia line.
You oughta seen John Hardy gettin'­ away,
You oughta seen John Hardy gettin'­ away.

Well he run up to Virginia around the east stone bridge,
Thought he would surely be free.
And along came a marshall with a gun in his hand,
Said Johnny come along with me,
Johnny come along with me.

Now John Hardy had himself a little woman.
The dress she wore was blue.
And she hollered on out to Johnny as he rode out of Town,
Said Johnny, I'll be true to you,
Johnny, I'll be true to you.

Now his legend had traveled from the East to the West,
From the North to the South end of town.
But when the sun comes up tomorrow, they'll take John Hardy down,
And show him to his hangin' ground.
They'­re gonna let John Hardy swing down.

Now John Hardy was a desperate little man,
Strapped on his guns every day.
Shot down a man on the West Virginia line.
You oughta seen John Hardy gettin' away,
You oughta seen John Hardy gettin'­ away.