By Bryan S. (guestblogger)
In “A Prairie Home Companion” the movie, Lindsay Lohan performs a rendition of an old folk song called “Frankie and Johnny.” (listen to a stream of Lohan’s version here) I was struck by that song when I heard a version of another song, “Frankie and Albert” sung by blues guitarist Joe Callicot on my iTunes this afternoon.
In the extended entry is a side-by-side comparison of the two songs. It’s amazing that these two songs are almost identical in their plot line, except Johnny gets it in one song, and Albert in the other.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two songs. Notice how many of the phrases are identical - “Bucket of beer,” “doing me wrong,” etc. The music is very similar in both songs as well.
It’s obvious both of these songs have been around for many years. Johnny Cash performed a version of “Frankie and Johnny,” and Bob Dylan performed a version of “Frankie and Albert.” (you can hear Dylan’s version at the link) I’m sure some music historian has figured out where the story forked in the road back there.
| Frankie And Johnny
Performed by Johnny Cash
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Lordy how they did love
They swore to be true to each other
As true as the stars above
He was her man
He wouldn’t do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just to get a bucket of beer
She said Mr. bartender
Has my lovin’ Johnny been here?
He’s my man, he wouldn’t do me wrong
I ain’t gonna tell you no story
I ain’t gonna tell you no lie
Johnny left here ’bout an hour ago
With a gal named Nellie Bly
If he’s your man, he’s doin’ you wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
And much to her surprise
There on a cot sat Johnny
Making love to Nellie Bly
She said, “He’s my man
But he’s doin’ me wrong”
Frankie pulled back her komono
Pulled out her old .44
Root-a-toot-toot that gal did shoot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man
Because he was doin’ her wrong
Roll out your rubber tired buggy
Roll out your rubber tired hack
She’s taking her man to the graveyard
But she ain’t gonna’ bring him back
She shot her man
Because he was doin’ her wrong
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story goes to show
That you can’t put your trust in men
She shot her man
Because he was doin’ her wrong
|
Frankie and Albert
Performed by Bob Dylan
1. Frankie was a good girl.
Everybody knows.
For Albert’s new suite of clothes.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
2. Albert said, “I’m leaving you.
Won’t be gone for long.
Don’t wait for me.
A-worry about me when I’m gone.”
He was her man but he done her wrong.
3. Frankie went down to the corner saloon.
Get a bucket of beer.
Said to the bartender.
“Has my lovin’ man been here?”
He was her man but he done her wrong.
4. “Well, I ain’t gonna tell you no stories.
I ain’t gonna tell you no lies.
I saw Albert an hour ago.
With a gal named Alice Bly.”
He was her man but he done her wrong.
5. Frankie went down to 12th Street.
Lookin’ up through the window high.
She saw her Albert there.
Lovein’ up Alice Bly.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
6. Frankie pulled out a pistol.
Pulled out a forty-four.
Gun went off a rootie-toot-toot
And Albert fell on the floor.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
7. Frankie got down upon her knees.
Took Albert into her lap.
Started to hug and kiss him.
But there was no bringin’ him back.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
8. “Gimme a thousand policemen.
Throw me into a cell.
I shot my Albert dead.
And now I’m goin’ to hell.
He was her man but he done me wrong.”
9. Judge said to the jury.
“Plain as a thing can be.
A woman shot her lover down.
Murder in the second degree.”
He was her man but he done her wrong.
10. Frankie went to the scaffold.
Calm as a girl could be.
Turned her eyes up towards the heavens.
Said, “Nearer, my God, to Thee.”
He was her man but he done her wrong. |
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