Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Frankie & Johnny
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll take it a bit slower
This is, this is the, huh, this is the first song I ever learned, actually
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Lordy, how they could love
Swore to be true to each other
Yeah, true to the skies above
And Frankie and Johnny went walkin'
And Johnny had on a new suit
Yeah, Frankie spent one-hundred dollar notes
Just to make her man look cute
He was her man, he wouldn't do her no wrong
Frankie went over to the barroom
Stopped for a bottle of beer
Said to the old bartender man
Has my lover Johnny man been here?
He was my man, Lord, but he'd been doin' me wrong, so wrong.
Yeah Frankie looked over the transom door
And then to her great surprise
There sat her lover man Johnny
Makin' love to Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Well Frankie lifted up her kimono dress
And she drew (ladaladalala) out a little .44
She shot once, twice, three times (three times) she shot him
And through that hardwood (door) floor
Yeah she shot her man (yeah he was her man)
Well but he been doin' her wrong yeah
He said, roll me over so careful ah
Roll me over so slow,
Oh roll me on to my left hand side,
Because your bullet hurt me so,
I was your man, but I been doin' you wrong.
Play it Chris!
Well they sent for Frankie's mother
Come down to Huddy's saloon
To see what's the matter with her boy
She come down, Frankie looked up at her
Here what she said:
She said, Oh Mrs. Johnson, oh forgive me please
Well I killed your lovin' son, Johnny
But I'm down on my bended knee
I shot your man, 'cause he was doin' me wrong. ah
She said, I'll forgive you Frankie,
She said, I'll forgive you not, not
For killin' my lovin' son Johnny,
He's the only support that I've got,
'Cause you shot my man and he was doin' you wrong.
Well the last time I seen Frankie
She was a-sittin' in a dungeon cell
She would be there moanin', herself
With no one there to care
She shot her man, a he'd been doin' her wrong, so wrong
Well bring out the overtime hearse all day long
You gotta bring out the pony and truck hey
They're gonna take Johnny, Johnny to the cemetery (graveyard)
And they ain't never coming back
Oh he was her man, oh but he been doin' her wrong, so wrong
Well the story ain't got no moral, Lordy
But the story ain't got no end
Well the story only goes to show
That there ain't no damn good in men
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Yeah, ba-da-ba-ba-da-ba-ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba
"Frankie and Johnny" is a classic American folk song that tells the tragic story of a cheating lover who is killed by his jilted partner. In this version by Van Morrison, he sings about the lovers who are devoted to each other, and how Johnny ends up cheating on Frankie with Nellie Bly. Despite the cheerful melody, the lyrics portray a lot of heartbreak and sorrow. The song highlights themes of betrayal, jealousy, and vengeance. The chorus of the song talks about Johnny being Frankie's man, but him doing her wrong. When Frankie catches Johnny cheating, she shoots him and kills him. After that, she is caught and sent to jail, while Johnny is buried.
Overall, the song portrays a disrespectful and unfaithful man who loses his life for his reckless behavior, a woman who was heartbroken by her lover’s betrayal, and society that ultimately condemns Frankie for her actions. The song's melancholic tune and tragic ending make it an enduring staple of American music and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll take it a bit slower
Let's start off slow
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Frankie and Johnny were in love
Lordy, how they could love
Their love was strong
Swore to be true to each other
They promised to be faithful
Yeah, true to the skies above
Their vow was sacred
He was her man, wouldn't do her no wrong
Johnny was faithful to Frankie
And Frankie and Johnny went walkin'
Frankie and Johnny went for a walk
And Johnny had on a new suit
Johnny was wearing a new suit
Yeah, Frankie spent one-hundred dollar notes
Frankie spent a lot of money
Just to make her man look cute
Frankie wanted Johnny to look good
Frankie went over to the barroom
Frankie went to the bar
Stopped for a bottle of beer
Frankie got a beer
Said to the old bartender man
Frankie asked the bartender
Has my lover Johnny man been here?
Frankie asked if Johnny was there
He was my man, Lord, but he'd been doin' me wrong, so wrong.
Frankie suspected Johnny of cheating
Yeah Frankie looked over the transom door
Frankie looked over the door
And then to her great surprise
Frankie was surprised
There sat her lover man Johnny
Johnny was there with another woman
Makin' love to Nellie Bly
Johnny was cheating with Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Johnny was cheating on Frankie
Well Frankie lifted up her kimono dress
Frankie pulled out her gun
And she drew (ladaladalala) out a little .44
Frankie got her gun out
She shot once, twice, three times (three times) she shot him
Frankie shot Johnny three times
And through that hardwood (door) floor
The bullets went through the floor
Yeah she shot her man (yeah he was her man)
Frankie shot Johnny
Well but he been doin' her wrong yeah
Johnny was cheating on Frankie
He said, roll me over so careful ah
Johnny asked Frankie to help him
Roll me over so slow,
Johnny wanted to be moved slowly
Oh roll me on to my left hand side,
Johnny wanted to be placed on his side
Because your bullet hurt me so,
Johnny was in pain
I was your man, but I been doin' you wrong.
Johnny admitted to cheating on Frankie
Play it Chris!
Chris is asked to start playing music
Well they sent for Frankie's mother
Frankie's mother was called
Come down to Huddy's saloon
She was asked to come to the saloon
To see what's the matter with her boy
Frankie's mother was concerned
She come down, Frankie looked up at her
Frankie saw her mother
She said, Oh Mrs. Johnson, oh forgive me please
Frankie asked for forgiveness
Well I killed your lovin' son, Johnny
Frankie admitted to killing Johnny
But I'm down on my bended knee
Frankie was begging for forgiveness
She said, I'll forgive you Frankie,
Frankie's mother forgave her
She said, I'll forgive you not, not
Frankie wasn't forgiven by everyone
For killin' my lovin' son Johnny,
Frankie killed Johnny
He's the only support that I've got,
Johnny was important to his mother
'Cause you shot my man and he was doin' you wrong.
Frankie killed Johnny for cheating on her
Well the last time I seen Frankie
The last time she was seen
She was a-sittin' in a dungeon cell
Frankie was in jail
She would be there moanin', herself
Frankie was alone and upset
With no one there to care
Frankie had no one to help her
She shot her man, a he'd been doin' her wrong, so wrong
Frankie killed Johnny for cheating on her
Well bring out the overtime hearse all day long
They were planning Johnny's funeral
You gotta bring out the pony and truck hey
They need transportation for Johnny's body
They're gonna take Johnny, Johnny to the cemetery (graveyard)
Johnny's body will be buried in the cemetery
And they ain't never coming back
Johnny is gone forever
Oh he was her man, oh but he been doin' her wrong, so wrong
Johnny cheated on Frankie
Well the story ain't got no moral, Lordy
There wasn't a lesson to learn
But the story ain't got no end
The story doesn't have a definite end
Well the story only goes to show
The only message is
That there ain't no damn good in men
Men can be unfaithful
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Johnny was cheating on Frankie
Yeah, ba-da-ba-ba-da-ba-ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba
End of song
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: KRIS IFE, J VINCENT EDWARDS, WAYNE NEWTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind