I always thought this song was from the point of view of a woman who was killed by her husband in 1963. The chorus is sung from her point of view when he is threatening her life. Other parts of the song are more narrative describing how the man later remarries. And, the truly tragic end of the song is apparently the dead wife lamenting from beyond the grave that she isn't with Johnny. She still loves him even after he killed her. LIke other victims she believe he never wanted to hurt her.
I always thought this song was from the point of view of a woman who was killed by her husband in 1963. The chorus is sung from her point of view when he is threatening her life. Other parts of the song are more narrative describing how the man later remarries. And, the truly tragic end of the song is apparently the dead wife lamenting from beyond the grave that she isn't with Johnny. She still loves him even after he killed her. LIke other victims she believe he never wanted to hurt her.