Ethnic article here
Jim Carroll

THE FOLKESTONE MURDER.
Dedea Redanies was born during the 1830's in Belgrade. In 1855 he was converted to Catholicism in Milan (having been born a Moslem) and shortly after came to England where he enlisted in the British Swiss Legion. This formation (about which the Imperial Service Institute is unable to furnish any details) was stationed at 'Dover Castle. Here he became acquainted with Mrs. Back who was. a laundress living in Albion Place, Dover* Her husband was employed on a dredger in Dover harbour. During the summer of 1856 Redanies was apparently 'going steady' with the elder daughter - Caroline - and on August 2nd*of that year he accused her of receiving attentions from a sergeant in the same unit. She denied this, and Redanies, apparently satisfied, proposed a walk over the thwns to Shorncliffe Camp on e following day (Sunday). According to the ballad Mrs. Back insisted on her younger daughter's accompanying them. At Steddy's Hole - some five miles out, and about half way along the cliffs to Folkestone; -he killed both girls. Redanies was captured on the following day (after 'trying to commit suicide) at Milton Chapel Farm, Chartham, near Canter¬bury, and was hanged at Maidstone on New Year's Day 1857.
''The Folkestone Murder" was undoubtedly printed on broadside during the 1850's as the song is widely distributed in Kent and Sussex and the text shows little variation* That the. event made a deep impression on the countryside is shown by the fact that most of the singers who have this song claim that they or a cousin or an aunt "knew them (Caroline and Maria) well" and that they used to go hop-picking, with the girls.
Of several texts known to us, the following is the most complete and is from our old friend George Spicer of Selsfield, West Hoathly (born Langton, near Dover). The second text is from the late Mrs*Lester of Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead (born Lewes)* We print six tunes - one each from the Burgess family (W. Firle), Harry Cox (Catfield, Norfolk), George Spicer, and Lester, and two from Pop Maynard (Copthorne)* There is a version in Vol. V.No 19 of the Journal of the Folk Song Society.

Kind friends come pay attention and listen to my song
It is about a murder it won't detain you long
'Twas near the town of Folkestone this shocking deed was done
Maria and sweet Caroline were murder'd by Switzerland John

He came unto their parents house at nine o'clock one night
But little did poor Caroline think he ow'd! er any spite
Will you walk with me dear Caroline the murderer did say
And she agreed to accompany him to Shorncliffe Camp next day

Said the mother to the daughter you'd better stay at home
It is not fit for you to walk with that young man alone
You'd better take your sister to go along with you
Then I'll have no objection dear daughter you may go

Early the next morning before the break of day
Mairia and sweet Caroline from Dover Town did stray
But before they reach'd to Folkestone the villain drew a knife
Maria and sweet Caroline ho took away their life

Down on the ground those sisters fell all in their bloomin' years
For mercy cried we're innocent their eyes they fill'd with tears
He plung'd the knife into their breast those lovely breasts so deep
He robb'd them of their own sweet lives and left them there to sleep

Three times he kiss'd their pale cold cheeks as they lay on the ground
He took their capes from off their backs for on him they were found
He said farewell dear Caroline your blood my 'and 'as stain'd
No more on earth shall I see you but in heav'n we'll meet again

Early next morning the bodies they were found
At a lonely spot call'd Steddy Hole a-bleedin' on the ground
And if you go unto this spot these letters you will find
Cut deeply in the grass so green Maria and Caroline

When the nows it reach'd their parents1 ears they cried what shall we do
Maria has been murder'd and lovely Caroline too
They pull'd and tore their old grey hair in sorrow and surprise
While tears they fell in showers from their poor aching eyes

This murderer has been taken 'is companions do him deny
And he is sent to Maidstone and there condemn'd to die
He said farewell to all 'is friends in this world I am alone
I've got to die for murder far from my native 'omo

The dismal bell is tolling the scaffold I must prepare
I wish in 'eav'n my end shall be and meet dear Caroline there
Now all young men take warning by this sad fate of mine
And remember of Maria Back and lovely Caroline

Mrs Lester.
Kind friends do come before me now and listen to my crime
I'll tell you of a murder which won't detain you long
'Twas near the town of Folkestone this shocking deed was done
Maria and sweet Caroline was murder'd by Switzerland John

'e went down to that fair maid's 'jzfase at nine o'clock that night
Little did sweet Caroline think ow'd 'er any spite
Will you take a walk sweet Caroline this villain 'e did say
She promis'd to accompan' *im to Shoreham cliff next day

The mother to 'er daughter you'd better stay at 'ome
I don't think it is safe for you to walk with that young man alone
You'd better take your sister to walk on by your side And then
I 'ave no objection deear daughter you may go

Early the next mornin' at the break of day
Mir-iar and sweet Caroline from Folkestone town did stray
And as they reach'd to Shorncliffe the villain drew a knife
'e took away Mir-iar an' ser-weet young Caroline's life

' e kiss'd their pale cold faces as they laid on the ground
'e took the capes from off their necks which on! im they were found
'e said fearwell sweet Caroline your blood my 'ands 'as stain'd
I 'ope to meet yet up in 'eav'n. and clasp your arms once again

The news it reach'd their parents 'cuse they cried what shall we do
Mir-iar! as been murder'd and sweet young Caroline too
They rued and tore their old grey locks in agony and in woe
Their death that came to them a shock it soon brought old age's past

Pop Maynard has verses 1, 2, 3, 4-, 8, 9 & 10 as George Spicer's text.