The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #106888 Message #2211781
Posted By: Roberto
09-Dec-07 - 04:17 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Frankie and Albert (Leadbelly)
Subject: Lyr Add: FRANKIE AND ALBERT (Lead Belly)
A difficult song to transcribe. From The Midnight Special, The Library of Congress Recordings (Rounder). I've put question marks where I think there are the main problems, but it would be better to check every line. Please, help. R
Frankie was a woman Everybody know Paid one hundred dollar T' buy 'er man a suit of clothes Was her man 'Cause he done her wrong
Frankie went out walkin' Did not go for fun Had on her apron Albert's forty-one Kill my man 'Cause he done me wrong
Frankie went down to the first (?) saloon Called (?) for a bottle of beer Asked her lovin' bartender: Lovin' man been here? He's my man But he done me wrong
Frankie went by her house Didn't give them (???) long Looked through the window glass Albert in woman's arms He's my man But he done me wrong
I ain't gonna tell you no story I ain't gonna tell you no lie Albert left here a hour ago Woman named Alice Fly He's your man 'Cause he done you wrong
Frankie, she shot Albert Fell all in a knot Cryin' - Oh dear Mrs. Johnson (?) Now (?) your son is shot I'm your son And the only one
Frankie, she shot Albert Fell upon his knee Cryin' - Oh Policeman Don't let that woman kill me I'm her man And I done her wrong
Rubber-tired hearse Rubber-tired hack Take you out to the graveyard And bring you mother back Was her son And the only one
Turn me over mother Turn me over slow Turn me over to your (?) left side Never turn me over no mo' I'm your son And the only one
Takin' Albert to the graveyard Went to let him down Frankie was a-singin' With a doleful sound (?????) Killed you man 'Cause you done me wrong
Frankie went to Mrs. Johnson Fell down on her knee Cryin' - O Mrs. Johnson Will you forgive me please? Killed your son 'Cause he done me wrong
Mrs. Johnson said: Frankie I'll forgive you not Killed poor Albert Only son I'm got Killed my son And the only one
Frankie went to the graveyard Fell down on her knee: Speak one word, Albert, Give my heart some ease Killed you man 'Cause you done me wrong