Try hard to make the world look bright today
  Try hard to make my nightmares go away
  Try hard to keep the fear away
  The cold of day, try hard
  Try hard to play the games the world would like you to play
  
  But people, they don't really listen
  Their smiles are the keys to the prison
  I'll call on the angels, to hold my head softly
  They'll always remember . . . Stories of Johnny
  
  Try hard to make my anger go away
  Try hard to make my money last the day (no way)
  Try hard to keep away the pain
  Stop the rain, try hard
  Try hard to fly a thousand miles away
  
  But people, they don't really listen
  Their smiles are the keys to the prison
  I'll call on the angels, to hold my head softly
  They'll always remember . . . Stories of Johnny
  
  My smoky lover . . . will close my eyes forever
  Stories of Johnny