It isn't often that a song has a single source, but this one does. It was collected by Anne and Frank Warner in June 1938 on the first day that they met Frank Proffitt.

Hang your head, Tom Dooley, Oh hang your head and cry.
Killed little Laurie Foster, Poor boy, you're bound to die.
Chorus
Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Hang your head and cry.
Hang your head Tom Dooley, Poor boy, you're bound to die.

I met her on the mountain, And there I took her life.
I met her on the mountain, And stabbed her with my knife.
Chorus
Hand me down my banjo, I'll pick it on my knee.
This time tomorrow It'll be no use to me.
Chorus
This time tomorrow, Reckon where I'll be.
If it hadn't been for Grayson, I'd have been in Tennessee.
Chorus
This time tomorrow, Reckon where I'll be.
Down in some lonesome valley, Hanging on a white oak tree
Chorus

Anne and Frank's son Jeff Warner helped publish the Warner Collection. There's a rare opportunity to see him in England in spring.

Wednesday, 19 May Clarence Folk Club, The Clarence Hotel & Pub, Preston New Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, 01722 683027
Friday, 21 May, 8:30 PM, Bacca Pipes Folk Club, Held at the Ukrainian Club, Henry St off Cavendish St, Keighley, Yorkshire
01535 605310
Saturday, 22 May, 8:00 PM, Nags Head & Plough, Nottingham Road, Stapleford, 0115 9399730
Sunday, 23 May, Village Hall, Calver, near Chatsworth, North Derbyshire, 0114 2815324, Contact Bob Hazelwood
Tuesday, 25 May, Ryburn Folk Club, The Royal Hotel, Oldham Road
Rishworth, near Ripponden, Yorkshire, 01422 822569, Contact Pete Coe
Thursday, 27 May, 8:00 PM, Darlington Folk Club, Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, near Durham, 01325 261179
Friday & Saturday, 28 & 29 May, Chester Folk Festival, Kelsall, near Chester, Ticket information: 01352 762931 or contact: Festival Office
Sunday & Monday, 30 & 31 May, Chippenham Folk Festival
Chippenham, Wiltshire, Ticket information: +44 (0) 1249 657190 or contact: Festival Office
Wednesday, 2 June, Faversham Folk Club, Held at The Chimney Boy Public House, Faversham, Kent, £4 members, £5 non-members, 07980 203992
Thursday, 3 June, Old Rose & Crown Folk Club, Hoe St, Walthamstow, London, E17, 8 PM, £5 members, 020 8527 8419
Friday, 4 June, The Bodmin Folk Club, Held at The Garland Ox, 65 Higher Bore Street, Bodmin, Cornwall, 01208 75261
Sunday, 6 June, 8:00 PM, Folk on the Moor, Moorland Hotel, Moor Road, Wotter, near Plymouth, 01752 839228