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Goose Gander Three Butchers: WHY the naked woman? (82* d) RE: Three Butchers: WHY the naked woman? 04 Apr 10


Here's a mid-twentieth century American variant in which the women is found with her hair pinned to the ground, though there is no mention of her being naked . . .

JOHNSON-JINKSON
As sung by Troy Cambron in Arvin, 1940

Johnson he was rid lug along
As fast as he could ride
He thought he heard a woman
He heard a woman cry.

Johnson getting off his horse
And searching, looked all around
Until he came to a woman
With her hair pinned to the ground.

Woman, dearest woman
Who has brought you here for sin
Who has brought you here this morning
With your hair pinned to the ground.

It were three bold and struggling men
With swords keen and hand
Who have brought me here this morning
With my hair pinned to the ground.

Johnson bein' a man of his own
And bein' a man and bold
He put off his overcoat
To hug her from the cold.

Johnson getting on his horse
And the woman getting on behind
Long this lonesome highway rode
Fortune was for to find.

They were riding all along
As fast as they could ride
She drew her fingers to her ears
And give three shivering cries.

Out sprung three bold and struggling men
With sword keen in hand
Who did commanded Johnson
Commanded him to stand.

I'll stop then, said Johnson
I'll stand then, said he
For I never worried in my life
Afraid of any of three.

Johnson killing two of them
Not watching the woman behind
While he was after the other one
She stabbed him from behind.

The day was free and the a market day
And the people all passing by
Who did saw this awful murder
And saw poor Johnson die.

Source:
Voices from the Dust Bowl


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