Murder by Gaslight

Subject: RE: Murder by Gaslight
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 12:14 PM

Don't forget James Jesse Strang and Boone Helm.

Subject: RE: Murder by Gaslight
From: RWilhelm
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 12:07 PM

For simplicity, I assume everything in DT is folk by definition.

I think it is odd that there are no serious folk songs about Lizzie Borden. Pearl Bryan's gruesome murder was around the same time and she got 3 songs. Was Massachusetts too hip for murder ballads by 1892?

RW

Subject: RE: Murder by Gaslight
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 12:18 AM

I don't want to reopen the "What Is Folk" debate, but I do want to note that the song, Fall River Hoedown, was written by Michael Brown for New Faces of 1952 (or somehting like that).
If you type Borden into the lyrics and knowledge search box you'll find some discussions of what the folk have done with Lizzie.

Subject: Murder by Gaslight
From: RWilhelm
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 03:24 PM

Greetings,

I would like to announce the opening of Murder by Gaslight, a new blog dedicated to notable 19th century American murders. We will include a summary of each murder, links to websites and books with more detailed information, and, of course, sections for comments. We currently have five murders completed and another sixteen in the works.

Quite a few 19th century murders are the subject of ballads,so wherever possible we will be linking to lyrics in the Digital Tradition database. (BTW, is "Fall River Hoedown" really the only folk song about Lizzie Borden?)

Since I know Mudcatters to be knowledgeable and enthusiastic on matters historical, I will be looking forward to your comments. Facts, opinions, error corrections, song information, and suggestions for other murders, are encourged.

I hope you'll check us out.

RW
http://www.murderbygaslight.com