Lyr Req: Florenda's Body: Murder Ballad

Subject: Florenda's Body: Murder Ballad
From: Dewey
Date: 29 May 00 - 06:25 AM

This ballad has the same melody as Jealous Lover of Green Valley and Woody Gutherie's Philadelphia Lawyer. Some words are, "Down in these woods I have you, from me you cannot hide, nobody know can save you, Florenda you must die." Please respond if you know this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Florenda's Body: Murder Ballad
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 00 - 08:03 PM

Say, Dewey, this sounds interesting. Where did you hear the song?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Florenda's Body: Murder Ballad
From: Dewey
Date: 29 May 00 - 08:49 PM

My dad knows it from my grandfather. I believe it was recorded on an old 78. I can probably get the majority of the words from my dad. The Jealous lover of green valley was sung by Vernon Dalhart: It starts, Way down in Lone Green Valley. There is also a version called Blue-eyed Ellen. I'm 30 years old so this ballad is a little beyond my years. 70 years olds would probably know it, It was popular I believe.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Florenda's Body: Murder Ballad
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 May 00 - 10:08 PM

It was an extremely popular song in the early part of the previous century (assuming we're in a new one now). Versions are called The Jealous Lover (click), or Florilla, or Fair Ellen. I can't specify offhand, but it's in a lot of collections, including Randolph's.