Johnny 99
The Mystic Knights of the Sea Lyrics
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Ralph went out looking for a job but, Lord, he couldn't find none
He came home too drunk from mixing Tanqueray and wine
He got a gun and shot a night clerk, now they call him Johnny 99
Down in the part of town when you hit a red light and don't stop
Johnny's waving his gun and threatening to blow his top
When an off-duty cop snuck up on him from behind
The city supplied a public defender, but the judge was mean John Brown
When he came into the courtroom and he stared young Johnny down
Well, the evidence is clear, gonna let the sentence fit the crime
Prison for 98 and a year, we'll call it even, Johnny 99
Well, a fist fight broke out in the courtroom, they had to drag Johnny's girl away
His mama stood up and shouted, "Judge, don't take my boy this way"
Well, son, you got a statement that you'd like to make
Before the bailiff comes to forever take you away?
Now judge, oh judge, I got debts no honest man can pay
The bank was holding my mortgage, they was taking my house away
Now, I ain't saying that make me no innocent man
God knows it was more than all this that put that gun in my hand
Well, Your Honor, I do believe I'd be better off dead
And if you can take a man's life for the thoughts running through his head
Then won't you sit back in that chair and think it over, judge, one more time
And let them shave off my hair and put me on the execution line
The Mystic Knights of the Sea’s song “Johnny 99” tells the story of a man named Ralph who, after losing his job at the auto plant in Mahwah, turns to alcohol and eventually kills a night clerk, leading to his nickname “Johnny 99”. The song details the events leading up to Johnny’s arrest and sentencing, including a confrontation with an off-duty cop and a dramatic courtroom scene where Johnny’s mother tries to plead for mercy. It’s a hauntingly vivid narrative about the struggles of working-class life and the desperation that can lead to tragedy.
The lyrics explore themes of economic hardship, addiction, crime, and punishment. Ralph’s downward spiral from losing his job to drinking to committing murder highlights the dangers and consequences of falling into hopelessness and despair. The courtroom scene, with the judge sentencing Johnny to 98 years in prison, depicts the harshness and rigidity of the justice system, as well as the powerlessness of those caught up in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late last month
Due to the recent closure of an auto manufacturing plant in Mahwah, many workers including Ralph lost their jobs.
Ralph went out looking for a job but, Lord, he couldn't find none
Ralph put forth efforts to look for a job but wasn't able to find one.
He came home too drunk from mixing Tanqueray and wine
Ralph returned home after consuming too much alcohol which mixed gin and wine.
He got a gun and shot a night clerk, now they call him Johnny 99
As a result of his inebriated state, Ralph ended up shooting a night clerk and consequently, the people began referring to him as Johnny 99.
Down in the part of town when you hit a red light and don't stop
In a particular underprivileged area of the town, if one ignores red light signals and carries on driving, they may encounter Johnny 99.
Johnny's waving his gun and threatening to blow his top
Johnny 99 is very agitated and brandishing his weapon in order to intimidate others.
When an off-duty cop snuck up on him from behind
An off-duty police officer managed to catch Johnny from behind unnoticed.
Out in front of the club Tip Top, they slapped the cuffs on Johnny 99
Johnny 99 was apprehended and restrained by the police in front of famed nightclub, Tip Top.
The city supplied a public defender, but the judge was mean John Brown
The municipal authority appointed a public defender to represent Johnny 99, but the judge was known to be stern and unyielding named John Brown.
When he came into the courtroom and he stared young Johnny down
As Johnny 99 stood in court, he was met with disapproving gaze and intimidation by Judge John Brown.
Well, the evidence is clear, gonna let the sentence fit the crime
As there was no doubt regarding the culpability of Johnny 99, the judge stated that he would deliver an appropriate sentence for his actions.
Prison for 98 and a year, we'll call it even, Johnny 99
In line with his sentence, Johnny would be required to spend 98 years in incarceration; following which, they would consider his acts equalized as Johnny 99.
Well, a fist fight broke out in the courtroom, they had to drag Johnny's girl away
A scuffle broke out in the courtroom and Johnny's female companion had to be pulled away from the altercation.
His mama stood up and shouted, 'Judge, don't take my boy this way'
Johnny's mother rose to her feet and voiced her disapproval, beseeching the judge to be lenient towards her son.
Well, son, you got a statement that you'd like to make
The judge offered Johnny 99 the option to say something in his defense.
Now judge, oh judge, I got debts no honest man can pay
Johnny spoke to the judge and explained that he had accrued debts which he, being an honest man, could not repay.
The bank was holding my mortgage, they was taking my house away
The financial institution with whom he held a mortgage on his house had decided to claim his property as repayment for his dues.
Now, I ain't saying that make me no innocent man
Johnny acknowleged that his financial difficulties didn't necessarily excuse his actions, and he still accepted responsibility for what he had done.
God knows it was more than all this that put that gun in my hand
Johnny tried to explain that his irrational and reckless behavior wasn't only due to his financial situation, but other issues as well.
Well, Your Honor, I do believe I'd be better off dead
Johnny expressed his belief that death would be a more appealing outcome than remaining in jail for almost a century.
And if you can take a man's life for the thoughts running through his head
Johnny posed a rhetorical question to the judge: whether it would be acceptable to sentence someone to death for their thoughts and ideas.
Then won't you sit back in that chair and think it over, judge, one more time
Johnny pleaded with Judge Brown to reconsider his death sentence before finalizing the decision.
And let them shave off my hair and put me on the execution line
As he was already resigned to his fate, Johnny urged the judge to proceed with the process; shave his hair off and execute him.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.