Johnny came home in '67 to a little bit less than a hero's welcome
Guns of war ringing in his head I wonder what he must have thought
Johnny was a rebel alright it was in his blood like fire in his eyes
About the things some people said
Believin' that freedom was well worth keeping alive
Johnny was a rebel alright he knew where to stand and where to fight
Believin' that freedom was well worth keeping alive
Johnny was a rebel alright
He used to ride that Harley through the hollows and the hills
Blow through town standing on one wheel
Long hair flyin' like a sheet in the wind I knew he never would fit in
In the old hometown again
Yeah Johnny was a rebel alright...
That night out on the courthouse yard behind the civil defense and the national guard
I saw an angry mob get out of hand I saw Johnny take a bullet for another man
[ guitar ]
It seems like a waste when I look back today but I guess it's like he used to say
Johnny died young like the good often do fightin' for right in the struggle of truth
Our freedom's only worth as much as we're all willing to pay
Johnny was a rebel alright Johnny was a rebel alright yes he was
Johnny was a rebel alright yes he was Johnny was a rebel alright yes he was