Frankie was a woman
Everybody know
Paid a hundred dollars
But her man’s suit of clothes
Was her man
But he done her wrong

Frankie went a walkin’
Did not go for fun
Carried on her apron (carried under, had on, she had on, had under, who knows?
Alberts forty-one       (I choose carried because it sounds closest to this version)
Kill my man
‘Cause he’s done me wrong

Frankie went down to the Huddie saloon   
Called for a bottle of beer
Asked the lovin’ bartender
“Lovin’ man been here?”
He’s my man
But he’s done me wrong

Frankie went by her house
didn’t give no alarm          ( “Alarm” prncd just “Lawm” so people hear “Long”)
Looked through the window glass
Albert’s in his woman’s arms
He’s my man
But he’s done me wrong

I ain’t gonna tell you no story
I ain’t gonna tell you no lie
Albert left here an hour ago
Woman named Alice Fry
He’s your man
but he’s done you wrong

Frankie she shot Albert
Fell all in a knot
Cryin’ “Oh, dear, Ms. Johnson, (See recording 148-A to hear “Ms. Johnson)
See where your son is shot”    (See “Frankie and Albert - Completion” to hear clearly)
I’m your son
and the only one

(Leadbelly may have omitted “see” in the 4th line above in this recording)

Frankie she shot Albert
Fell upon his knees
Cryin’ “Oh, Policeman
Don’t let that woman kill me”
I’m her man
And I done her wrong

Rubber-tired the hearse
Rubber-tired the hack (“Hack” old slang for taxi)
Hearse carry Albert to the graveyard
Had to bring his mother back
Was her son
And the only one

Turn-a me over mother
Turn-a me over slow
Turn me over for your last time
Never turn me over no more
I’m your son
And the only one

Taking Albert to the graveyard
Went to let him down
Frankie was a-singin’
With a doleful sound (definitely “Doleful” see “Frankie and Albert - Completion”)
Shoot your man
Cause he’s done me wrong

Frankie went to Ms. Johnson
Fell down on her knees
cryin’ oh Ms. Johnson
will you forgive me please
kilt your son
Cause he’s done-a me wrong

Ms. Johnson said Frankie
I’ll forgive you not
killed poor Albert
only son I’ve got.    (“Son” in this version, “Support” in others,
he’s my son.             see “Frankie and Albert -   Completion”)
and the only one

Frankie went to the graveyard
Fell down on her knees
“Speak one word, Albert
Give my heart some ease
Killed you man,
Cause you done me wrong”

Farewell, farewell
Farewell, farewell

Poor boy, poor boy
Poor boy, poor boy

My son, my son
My son, my son

Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye