FRANKIE AND JOHNNY
FRANKIE AND ALBERT
FRANKIE'S MAN, JOHNNY
THE NEW FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE SONG
The Leighton Bros. - 1912
Paul Biese Trio (vocal: Frank Crumit) - 1921
Isham Jones & His Orch. (Instr.) - 1923
The California Ramblers - 1923
Harvey Brooks Quality Four (Instr.) - 1924
Fate Marable's Society Syncopators (Instr.) - 1924
Frank Crumit - 1927
Ted Lewis & His Band - 1927
Mississippi John Hurt - 1928
Jimmie Rodgers - 1929
King Oliver & His Orch. (Instr.) - 1929
Helen Morgan - 1930
Al Bowlly (with Ella Logan) - 1930
Frank Richardson (feat. in the film "Men Without Women") - 1930
Mae West (feat. in the film "She Done Him Wrong") - 1933
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1933
Bunny Berigan & His Orch - 1937
Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter - 1939
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (vocal: Kenny Gardner) - 1942
Duke Ellington & His Orch. (Instr.) - 1945
Lu Watters & His Yerba Buena Jazz Band - 1949
Pearl Baily - 1949
Cisco Houston - 1952
Les Paul & Mary Ford - 1952
Sidney Bechet - 1952
Lena Horne - 1955
Burl Ives - 1956
Big Bill Broonzy - 1956
Sammy Davis Jr. (feat. in the film "Meet Me In Las Vegas") - 1956
Pete Seeger - 1957
Gene Vincent - 1958
Champion Jack Dupree - 1958
Louis Armstrong - 1959
Johnny Cash - 1959
Johnny Sea - 1959
Humphrey Lyttelton & His Band - 1960
Brook Benton - 1961
Jerry Lee Lewis - 1961
Little Stevie Wonder - 1962
Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band - 1962
Sam Cooke - 1963
Bob Gibson - 1963
Alice Stuart - 1964
Shawn Phillips - 1964
Elvis Presley (feat. in the film "Frankie & Johnny") - 1966
Jimmy Anderson - 1969
Hank Snow - 1970
Kay Starr - 1974
Michael Bloomfield - 1977
Craig Russell (feat. in the film "Outrageous!") - 1977
Bob Dylan - 1992
Also recorded by: New Lost City Ramblers; Jumpin' Gene Simmons;
Ray Charles; Dykes Magic City Trio; Merle Haggard; Anita O'Day;
George Melly; Josh White; Whistlin' Alex Moore; Lonnie Donegan;
Charlie Poole; Ray Anthony; Terence Trent D'Arby; Dave Brubeck;
Benny Goodman; Kingston Trio; Riley Puckett; Charlie Feathers;
Fats Waller; Charlie Patton; Van Morrison; Firehouse 5 Plus 2;
Bob Vidone & The Rhythm Rockers; Count Basie; Louis Armstrong;
Roscoe Holcomb; Robbins Skiffelgrupp; John Denver; Boyd Bunch;
Greenwood County Singers; Brothers Four; Sserendipity Singers;
..........and many, many others.
SONG HISTORY & TRIVIA:
The origins of the song are uncertain. Many believe that, in various
forms, it dates back to the mid-1800's. Others that it more likely
originated in the early 1900's.
The most believable is that it is based on an actual event that took place on
October 15, 1899, in St. Louis, Missouri. On that date, 22-year-old Frankie
Baker shot 17-year-old Allen Britt, following a row over another woman, Alice
Pryor. Within two days, and before Britt
had finally died from his wound, a local pianist/songwriter named Bill Dooley
had composed and published "Frankie Killed Allen", a ballad which would form the
basis of "Frankie And Albert", and then "Frankie And Johnny".
The song went through several changes before the popular version from
1912 was arrived at. The name of Allen, or Al Britt, was changed to Albert, and
then, in line with the musical popularity of the name at that time, became
Johnny, or sometimes Johnnie. Alice, the "other woman", has been variously named
as Alice Fry, Annabelle Lee, Nellie Fry, Nellie Blythe and Nellie Bly.
Other variations have Frankie visiting a corner / barroom / tavern / saloon to
get a bottle / glass / stein / bucket of beer, and even a drugstore for ice
cream. The gun is either a .41, a .44, or a .45 and she gets it from her home,
from a pawn shop, from her policeman father, or steals it from the Sheriff. At
her trial, she either walks free, is sentenced to life imprisonment, or goes to
the electric chair.
The first known published version of a "Frankie and Johnny" melody
appeared in 1904 in the song "He Done Me Wrong (The Death Of Bill Bailey)",
written by Hughie Cannon. A variation on the melody, with words and music by
Frank and Bert Leighton, appeared in 1908 under the title "Bill, You Done Me
Wrong". It was republished in 1912, credited to the Leighton Brothers and Ren
Shields, as the more commonly recognizable "Frankie and Johnny".
According to police and press reports at the time, Frankie Baker and
Alice Pryor were both St. Louis prostitutes. Al Britt was Frankie's pimp and
lover. He came home early one morning, after spending the night with Alice, and
got into a row with Frankie, during which he threatened her with a knife.
Fearing for her life, she pulled a gun and shot him. He died a few days later.
Frankie Baker was acquitted of the crime. In the 1910s she moved to Omaha,
Nebraska, and then to Portland, Oregon in the late 1920s. A couple of
unsuccessful legal attempts were made to suppress the song (and the films that
were subsequently made) that branded her a killer and, in a few versions, even
had her being executed. Frankie died in 1952 in an Oregon mental institution.
There have been so many lyric variations to the song over the years that it is
now difficult to say which should be regarded as the definitive version.
In 1963, Bob Gibson and Shel Silverstein wrote a new version, keeping
the basic storyline, but changing the music and lyrics.
There are several other versions that contain extremely crude lyrics,
but they won't be displayed here.
*************************************************************
"FRANKIE AND JOHNNY (or YOU'LL MISS ME IN THE DAYS TO COME)"
(Written by the Leighton Bros. and Ren Shields) - 1912:
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
They had a quarrel one day
Johnny he vowed he would leave her
Said he was goin' away
He's never comin' home
He's goin' away to roam
Frankie she begged and pleaded
Cried "Oh Johnny, please stay"
She says, "My honey I have done you wrong
But please don't go away"
Then Johnny sighed
And to his Frankie cried:
"Oh I'm a goin' away and I'm a goin' to stay
I'm never coming home
You're goin' to miss me hon'
In the days to come
When the winter winds begin to blow
The ground is covered up with snow
You'll think of me and you will wish to be
Back with your lovin' man
You're goin' to miss me hon'
In the days, days, days to come"
Frankie says, "Listen now Johnny
To prove my love is true
Every dollar I can save, dear
I'm goin' to give to you
So I think now, dear
That ought to keep you here"
Johnny says, "Listen now Frankie
Don't want to tell you no lie
I've lost my heart to another queen
Her name is Nellie Bly"
Then Frankie groaned
As her Johnny moaned:
"Oh, I'm a goin' away and I'm a goin' to stay
I'm never coming home
You're goin' to miss me hon'
In the days to come
When the winter winds begin to blow
The ground is covered up with snow
You'll think of me and you will wish to be
Back with your lovin' man
You're goin' to miss me hon'
In the days, days, days to come
Frankie then said to her Johnny
"Say man, your hour has come"
From underneath her silk kimono
She drew a forty-four gun
Oh, it was bear, 'twas quite a large affair
Johnny he dashed down the stairway
Cryin' "Oh Frankie, don't shoot"
Frankie took aim with her forty-four
Five times with a rooty-toot-toot
As Johnny fell, then miss Frankie yelled:
"Oh, you're a goin' away and you're a goin' to stay
You're never coming home
I'm goin' to miss you hon', in the days to come
When the winter winds begin to blow
The ground is covered up with snow
I'll think of thee and I will wish to be
Back with my lovin' man
I'm goin' to miss you hon'
In the days, days, days to come
"Send for your rubber-tired hearses
Go get your rubber-tired hacks
Take lovin' Johnny to the graveyard
I shot him in the back
With my great big gun
Just as he went to run
Send for a thousand policemen
Detectives right away
Lock me way down in the dungeon cell
And throw the keys away
My Johnny's dead, just because he said:
"Oh, I'm a goin' away and I'm a goin' to stay
I'm never coming home
You're goin' to miss me hon' in the days to come
When the winter winds begin to blow
The ground is covered up with snow
You'll think of me and you will wish to be
Back with your lovin' man
You're goin' to miss me hon'
In the days, days, days to come
**********
"FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE"
(Adapted and recorded by Frank Crumit) - 1927
Frankie and Johnnie were lovers
Oh! Lord, how they did love
Swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars up above
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just for a bucket of beer
She said, Mister Bartender
Has my lovin' Johnny been here?
He is my man, he wouldn't do me wrong
I don't wanna cause you no trouble
I don't wanna tell you no lies
But I saw your lover half an hour ago
With a girl named Nellie Bly
He is your man, but he's doin' you wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
There to her great surprise
There on the couch sat Johnnie
Makin' love to Nellie Bly
He was her man, he was doin' her wrong
Frankie drew back her kimono
Took out her little forty-four
Rooty-toot-toot, three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man 'cause he done her wrong
Roll me over easy
Roll me over slow
Roll me over on the left side
'Cause your bullets hurt me so
I was your man and I done you wrong
Bring out your rubber-tired hearses
Bring out your rubber-tired hack
I'm takin' my man to the graveyard
And I ain't gonna bring him back
He was my man and he done me wrong
Bring 'round a thousand policemen
Bring 'em 'round today
Then lock me in that dungeon cell
And throw the key away
I shot my man 'cause he done me wrong
Frankie she said to the Warden
What are they goin' to do?
The Warden he said to Frankie
It's the electric chair for you
You shot your man, though he done you wrong
The Sheriff came 'round in the mornin'
Said it was all for the best
He said her lover Johnnie
Was nothin' but a doggone pest
He was her man, but he done her wrong
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story only goes to show
That there ain't no good in men
He was her man and he done her wrong
**********
As recorded by JIMMY RODGERS - 1929
Yodel-ahee-odee-olay-hee
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
oh! Lord, how they could love
Swore to be true to each other
True as the stars above
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just for a bucket of beer
She said, "Mister Bartender
Has my lovin' Johnny been here
He's my man, he wouldn't do me wrong"
"I don't want cause you no trouble
I ain't gonna tell you no lie
I saw your lover an hour ago
With a girl named Nellie Bly
He was your man, but he's doing you wrong"
Frankie looked over the transom
She saw to her surprise
There on a cot sat Johnny
Making love to Nellie Bly
"He is my man and he's doin' me wrong"
Olay-hee-ahee-olay-hee
Frankie drew back her komono
She took out a little forty-four
Rooty-toot-toot, three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
Shot her man, he was doin' her wrong
"Bring out the rubber-tired buggy
Bring out the rubber-tired hack
I'm taking my man to the graveyard
But I ain't gonna bring him back
Lord, he was my man and he done me wrong"
"Bring out a thousand policemen
Bring 'em around today
And lock me down in the dungeon cell
And throw that key away
I shot my man, he was doin' me wrong"
Frankie said to the warden
"What are they going to do?"
The warden he said to Frankie
"It's the electric chair for you
'Cause you shot your man, he was doin' you wrong"
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story just goes to show
That there ain't no good in man
He was her man and he done her wrong
**********
As recorded by RILEY PUCKETT:
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
oh! Lord, how they did love
Swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars above
Lord, he was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
To call for a bottle of beer
She said, "Mister Bartender
Has my lovin' Johnny been here
He's my man, he wouldn't do me wrong"
"I don't want cause you no trouble
I ain't gonna tell you no lie
I saw your lover 'bout an hour ago
With a girl named Nellie Fry
If he's your man, Lord, he's doin' you wrong"
Frankie peeped over the transom
She saw to her surprise
There on a cot sat Johnny
Making love to Nellie Fry
He was her man, he was doin' her wrong
Frankie drew back her komono
Pulled out a little forty-four
Rooty-toot-toot, three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
Lordy, shot her man, but he done her wrong
"Bring out your rubber-tired buggy
Also your double-seated hack
Takin' my baby to the graveyard
But it sure won't bring him back
Lord, he was my man, but he done me wrong"
"Bring out a thousand policemen
Bring 'em around today
Lock me down in that dungeon cell
And throw that key away
I shot my man, but he done me wrong"
Frankie said to the jailer
"What are they going to do?"
Jailer, he said to Frankie
"It's just the electric chair for you
You shot your man, but he done you wrong"
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story just goes to show
That there ain't no good in man
Lord. he was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
**********
As recorded by AL BOWLLY (with Ella Logan) - 1930
Now Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
As ev'rybody knows
How she paid a hundred dollars
Just to buy her man a suit of clothes
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Frankie went down to the barroom
Ordered a bottle of beer
She said, "Now look here, Mister bartender man
Have you seen my lovin' Johnny here?
He was my man, but he done me wrong"
Frankie went into the pawn shop
She didn't go right in for fun
And when she came out from that Jew man's store
She had an (Art Johnson ??) forty-one
For to shoot the man that had done her wrong
Then Frankie went down to the hot joint
Rang that hot joint bell
She said, "Now look out all you harpies
I'm gonna shoot that man to......
He was my man, yeah, but he done me wrong"
Now, Frankie shot Johnny the first time
Frankie shot Johnny twice
Now, Frankie shot Johnny a third time
And she took that gambler's life
Who was her man, but he done her wrong
A hundred dollar coffin
And a decorated hack
They took that gambler to the graveyard
But they never, never brought him back
'Cause he was her man, but he done her wrong
They took poor Frankie to the jailhouse
And they locked poor Frankie in the cells
She said, "I don't give a darn, Mister jailhouse man
Another man gone to......
He was my man, but he done me wrong"
The Judge he said to Frankie, "Look her little girl
Don't you make those eyes at me (ELLA: I won't make no eyes)
For the jury have found you guilty
Of murder in the third degree (ELLA: I didn't shoot my man)
You shot your man, you certainly did
But he done you wrong (ELLA: He done me wrong)
Oh yes, he done me wrong and he put me right in all
There were some circumstances, I took some awful chances
Yes, he done me wrong, but I feel so lonesome
Now he's dead and gone, the Lord have mercy on him
Lord have mercy on him
Johnny, curse him, he done me wrong
**********
As recorded by WHISTLIN' ALEX MOORE:
"THE SHOOTING SCENE"
Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Most everybody knew
Frankie run a little-bitty bootleg shop
Out on Second Avenue
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Say, someone told his gal this story
He had a brand new main gal, Nellie Fry
Say, it made her so doggone mad
She said, "That man, he's got to die
He was my man, but he's doin' me wrong"
Say, Frankie went over to the pawn shop
Got herself a brand new forty-four
Walked right up to that bootleg shop
And shot a man standin' in the door
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Say, "Now roll me over, Frankie
Roll me over slow
Roll me over, Honey
For those bullets hurt me so
I was your man, but I done you wrong"
Boop-dee-yoo-doo-doo-doh-ooh-dee-doh-doh-doh
Dee-dee-dee-dee-duddle-ooh-dee-diddle-ooh-doh
Oh, I was your man, but I done you wrong
Boh-doh-doh-doh-doh-doh-doh-doh
But I done you wrong
Say, six feet rubber-tired carriages
And one great big long black hack
Took old Johnny to the graveyard
But they never brought him back
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Boop-dee-doh-doh-doh-doh-dee-doh-doh-doh
Dee-dee-doh-doh-doh-dee-dee-dee-doh-doh
Oh, he was my man, but he done me wrong
Said he was my man, but he done me
Doh-doh-doh-d0h-doh-did-dee-doh-doh-doh
"THE COURTROOM SCENE"
Frankie went out and got herself some gin
Said, "I'm sure gonna shimmy now
'Cause I done killed that doggone man of mine
I'm gonna shimmy some till then"
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Say, Frankie started to drinkin'
Drink till she got blind drunk
Then she started to shimmy from the bone
And she sure did shimmy some
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Said, dee-doh-doh-dee-dee-doh-diddle-dee-ooh-doh
Dee-dee-doh-doh-loh-doh-dee-dee-doh-doh
Oh, he was my man, but he done me wrong
Play that music, Professor
Let that shimmy go on
Say, a great big six-foot policeman
Came down and grabbed her by her hands
Says, "The County Judge wants to see you
About shootin' your lovin' man
He was your man, now did he do you wrong?"
Say, the Judge looked right at Frankie
Said, "Girl, what have you done?
Do you know you done drink that doggone gin
And done killed your lovin' man
He was your man, did he do you wrong?"
Say, Frankie looked right at the Judge and said
"Now, Judge, I'll tell ya what he done
Had another woman named Nelly Fry
The lowdown son-of-a-gun
He was my man, but he done me wrong
Then Frankie she started to shimmy
And the Judge began to smile
Said, "By golly, she's a pippin
Oh, she's one angel child
And I'll be her man, and I won't do her wrong"
Say, the Judge looked up at the Jury
Said, "I'll tell ya what I'm gonna do"
Said, "All you got to do for Miss Frankie
Is just to-lay-dat-doo-doodle-ooh-doo
Oh, I'll be her man, I'll never do her wrong"
**********
As recorded by ETHEL WATERS:
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Boy, how they could love
Swore to be true to each other
True as the stars above
'Cause he was her man, but he done her wrong
One night Frankie happened to pass by the hotel
Just casually glanced into a window so high
And who did she see but her lovin' man
Lovin' up old Nellie Bly
She caught her man doin' her wrong
Well, she went 'round the corner to her favourite pawn shop
This time she didn't go there for fun
'Cause when she left, underneath her long red kimono
She was totin' a forty-four gun
She was gunnin' for her man who was doin' her wrong
Then back Frankie dashed to that hotel
Started yankin' that bell
She said, "Stand back, you madam and floozies,
Or I'll blow each and every one of you straight to hell
I want my man who's done me wrong!"
Johnnie, in panic, mounted the staircase
Screamin', "Oh Frankie, don't shoot!"
Three times she pulled a trigger on a forty-four gun
The gun went root-toot-toot
She'd nailed her man who'd done her wrong
So they put her away in a dungeon
Way up in a dark dingy cell
In the south east corner of a jail
Where the wind seemed like it blew straight from hell
For killin' her man who done her wrong
But the day Frankie mounted the scaffold
She was just as calm as any gal could be
And raising her eyes to heaven she cried
"Lord, I'm comin' to thee!
I'm sorry I killed my man who done me wrong"
(Contributed by Peter Akers - September 2009)
**********
As recorded by GUY LOMBARDO & HIS ROYAL CANADIANS - 1942
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
And, oh, what a couple in love
Frankie was loyal to Johnny
Just as true as the stars above
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Now, Frankie went down to the drugstore
Some ice cream she wanted to buy
And the soda jerk told her that Johnny
Was makin' love to Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Now, Frankie's dad was a policeman
So she stole his old forty-four gun
And then back to the drugstore she beat it
Just as fast as she could run
After the man who was doin' her wrong
And Frankie peeked in on the party
She got a surprise when she saw
Nellie and Johnny were makin' love
And sippin' soda through a straw
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
So Frankie flew into a tantrum
And she whipped out that long forty-four
And a rooty-toot-toot that gal did shoot
Through that harwood swingin' door
She shot her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong
So bring on your crepe and your flowers
And bring on your rubber-tired hack
'Cause there's eight men to go to the graveyard
But only seven are a-comin' back
She shot her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong
So this is the end of my story
And this is the end of my song
Frankie is down in the jailhouse
And she cries the whole night long
He was my ma-yan, but he done me wrong
**********
As recorded by BURL IVES - 1956
(With unknown singers as the voices
of Frankie, Johnny and the Bartender)
Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Oh! how they did love
They vowed to love each other
Just as long as there were stars above
He was her man and wouldn't do her wrong
Then Johnny said
(JOHNNY: I'm gonna leave ya)
(But I won't be very long)
(You wait right here for me, honey)
(Don't you worry none while I'm gone)
He was her man and wouldn't do her wrong
Now, Frankie went to the bartender
She didn't go for beer
Oh, she said, (FRANKIE: Mister Bartender)
Has my lovin' man been here?)
He is my man, but he's been gone too long)
(BARTENDER: Don't wanna cause you no trouble)
(Don't wanna tell you no lie)
(Your Johnny left here just a minute ago)
(With a gal named Nellie Bly)
(He is your man, but he's doin' you wrong)
Now, Frankie went lookin' for Johnny
She didn't do it for fun
She sneaked right up behind the Sheriff
And she pinched his forty-four gun
He was her man, but he's doin' her wrong
Now, Johnny he grabbed off his stetson
(JOHNNY: Oh! Lordy, Frankie don't shoot)
Ah, but Frankie had her finger on the trigger
And the gun went roota-tee-toot
He was her man, but she shot him down
It wasn't murder in the second degree
It wasn't murder in the third
Frankie just went and dropped her man
Like a hunter drops a bird
He was her man, but she shot him down
(JOHNNY: Roll me over easy)
(Roll me over slow)
(Roll me over on my left side)
('Cause the bullet hurts me so)
He was her man, but she shot him down
Now, Frankie ran over to Johnny
She knelt down on her knees
Oh, she said
(FRANKIE: Lover forgive me)
(Forgive me if you please)
He was her man, but she shot him down
Now, Johnny he was a gambler
He gambled for the game
Oh, the very last words that he ever said were
(MV: High, low, jack and the game)
He was her man, but she shot him down
(FRANKIE: Bring 'round a thousand policemen)
(Bring them around today)
(Lock me up in the prison cell)
(And throw the key away)
(He was my man, but he done me wrong)
Now, this story has no moral
This story has no end
This story just goes to show
That there ain't no good in men
He was her man, but she shot him down
**********
As performed by SAMMY DAVIS JR.
in the film "Meet Me In Las Vegas" - 1956
(Additional lyrics by Sammy Cahn):
Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Man, how those two cats could love
They promised to dig one another
Long as stars remained above
He was her mate, but he wouldn't fly straight
He was a cat that was lazy
Thinking of work made him frown
Man, she had a bank that was crazy
And his loans were not turned down
She was his fool and, daddio, he played it real cool
What a drag!
They sashayed down to the barroom
A place where you go chaperoned
Strictly a come-as-you-are room
And the clientele was stoned
Ev'ryone was juiced, as you may have dedueced
The evening was sultry and torrid
And Frankie was limp from the heat
She planted a kiss on his forehead
And then she beat a quick retreat
For as you might suppose, she had to powder her nose
Now, enter a doll name o' Nellie
A wierdy the hipsters would boast
Man, poets like Byron or Shelley
Would have dubbed this chick 'the most'
Jack, this chick came on, sorta like a female Don Juan
Oh-oh!
Girls, girls ladies!
You never saw such a tangle
That Frankie sure faught for her gent
She threw punches from ev'ry angle
Man, it looked like the main event
Someone rang the bell, but daddio, they couldn't save Nell
Frankie had whipped out a pistol
Ev'ryone made for the door
She started bustin' the crystal
She made that cannon roar
Missed!
And when she fired that last shot
Did Johnny hear, he did not!
She was such a lady
Man, how that Frankie did suffer
Her tears were falling like rain
The Sheriff who came in to cuff her
Used the cuffs with the platinum chain
And nobody knew, just who was takin' in who
Now, ev'ryone bows when they pass her
And Frankie's the toast of the town
That the moral is really a gasser
If he cheats, simply shoot him down
He was her mate, but he wouldn't fly straight
Here's a thought for you to contemplate
If you want love, you gotta fly straight
Yoody-doody-dood-doo-eeee
Any questions!
**********
As recorded by LONNIE DONEGAN - 1956:
Well, Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
Lordy, how they could love
But they swore to be true to each other
Yeah, just true as skies above
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
Well, Frankie and Johnny went walkin'
Johnny had on a new suit
Yeah, Frankie spent one-hundred dollars
Just to make her man look cute
He was her man, he wouldn't do her wrong
"Well, Frankie, see I'm gonna leave you
But I won't be very long
Don't you wait up for me honey
Don't you worry while I'm gone
I'm your man, I wouldn't do you wrong"
So Frankie walked down to the Huddie saloon
And she called for a bottle of beer
And she said to the old bartender man
"Has my lovin' Johnny man been here?
He was my man, but he's been doin' me wrong, so wrong"
"Well, see I don't wanna cause you no trouble
Well, I don't wanna tell you no lies
I seen your Johnny
Makin' love with Nellie Bly
He was your man, but he's been doin' you wrong, so wrong"
So Frankie walked over to the transom door
And then to her great surprise
There sat her lovin' Johnny
Makin' love with Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong, so wrong
So then she lifted up her kimono dress
Drew out a little .44
Rum-tum-tum, three times she shot
Right through that hardwood door
She shot her man, but he was doin' her wrong, so wrong
He said, "Roll me over so careful
Hey, roll me over so slow
Roll me onto my left side
Your bullet sure hurt me so
I was your man, but I been doin' you wrong, so wrong"
Well, they sent for Frankie's mother
She come down to Huddie's saloon
Wond'rin what's a-matter with her boy
"Oh, Mrs. Johnson, see what your son has got
No thumpin', no foot-stompin'
Your lovin' Johnny boy been shot
Was your man, but I was doin' you wrong, so wrong"
She said, "Oh, Mrs. Johnson
Oh, forgive me please
Well I killed your lovin' son, Johnny
But I'm down on my bended knees
I shot your man, but he was doin' me wrong, so wrong"
She said, "I'll forgive you Frankie"
She said, "I'll forgive you not
Oh, you killed my lovin' son, Johnny
The only support I've got
'Cause you shot my man an' he was doin' you wrong, so wrong"
Well, the last time I seen Frankie
She was sittin' in a dungeon cell
Lord, a-weepin', Lord, a-moanin'
'Cause her soul was goin' down to Hell
She shot her man, he was doin' her wrong, so wrong
She said, "Now bring out your rubber-tired hearses
Oh, you bring out your pony and trap
I'm gonna take my Johnny to the graveyard
I ain't a-gonna bring him back
He was my man, but he was doin' me wrong, so wrong"
Well, this story ain't had no moral
Well, this story ain't got no end
Well this story only goes to show
Ain't no damn good in you men
She shot her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong
**********
As recorded by GENE VINCENT & THE BLUECAPS - 1957:
Well, Frankie and Johnny were lovers
True as the stars above
Frankie said, "Johnny, you my man
You the man I love
You my man, but don't you do me wrong"
Well, Johnny walked down to the barroom
He said, "Man, I sure am dry"
He said, "Give me some o' that joy juice
So I can drink it with Nellie Bly"
He was her man, but heard he done her wrong
Well, then Frankie walked into the barroom
Then she took out that long forty-four
And rooty-tee-toot, that gal did shoot
Through that hardboard swingin' door
She done her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong, so wrong
Poor Johnny
(Instrumental Break)
Well, then Frankie strolled into the barroom
Then she took that long forty-four
And rooty-tee-toot, that gal did shoot
Through that hardboard swingin' door
She done her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong, so wrong
Well now, Frankie sits down in the jailhouse
She went down on bended knee
She said, "Hey-hey, Mister Jailer
Tell me what you're gonna do with me
He was my man, but he done me wrong, So wrong"
He was my man, but I done her wrong, so wrong
**********
"FRANKIE'S MAN, JOHNNY"
As arranged and recorded by JOHNNY CASH - 1959
Well now, Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
They were true as the blue, blue sky
He was a long-legged guitar picker
With a wicked wanderin' eye
But he was her man nearly all of the time
Well, Johnny he packed up to leave her
But he promised he'd be back
He said he had a little pickin' to do
A little farther down the track
He said I'm your man, I wouldn't do you wrong
Well, Frankie curled up on a sofa
Thinkin' about her man
Faraway the couples were dancin'
To the music of his band
He was Frankie's man, he wasn't doin' her wrong
Then in the front door walked a redhead
Johnny saw her right away
She came down by the bandstand
To watch him while he played
He was Frankie's man, but she was far away
He sang every song to the redhead
She smiled back at him
Then he came and sat at her table
Where the lights were low and dim
What Frankie didn't know wouldn't hurt her none
Then the redhead jumped up and slapped him
She slapped him a time or two
She said, "I'm Frankie's sister
And I was checkin' up on you
If you're her man, you better treat her right"
Well, the moral of this story
Is be good, but carry a stick
Sometimes it looks like a guitar picker
Just can't tell what to pick
He was Frankie's man and he still ain't done her wrong
**********
As recorded by BROOK BENTON - 1961:
Little Frankie went down to the barroom
She asked for a glass of beer
She said, "Hey bartender, has my Johnny been here?
He's my man, but he's done me wrong"
The bartender said, "Frankie,
You know I won't tell you no lies
He left here about a minute ago
With a gal named Alice Fry
He is your man, but he's doin' you wrong"
Frankie was a good little woman
Surely ev'rybody knows
She paid one hundred dollars
For Johnny's new suit of clothes
She loved her man, but he done her wrong
Well, then Frankie went down Broadway
With a razor in her hand
She said, "Stand back all you women
I'm here for my cheatin' man
Yes, he's my man, but he done me wrong"
It was on a Friday mornin'
About half past nine o'clock
Frankie pulled her forty-four
And fired three fatal shots
She shot her one 'cause her done her wrong
(Why don't you run, Frankie)
They said (Frankie, why don't you run)
'Cause here come the Chief of Police
With the forty-four smokeless gun
You've killed your man, you know he done you wrong
Yeah, he done you wrong, Frankie
You should o' shot him forty times
I'm a witness, Frankie
I were there........FADE
**********
As recorded by SAM COOKE - 1963:
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
At least that's the way the story goes
Frankie bought everything for Johnny
From his sports car to his ivy league clothes
Oh, he was her man alright
Oh, but he as doin' her wrong
Just to show ya what can happen...
A friend came runnin' to Frankie
Said, "You know I wouldn't tell you no lie
I saw your man ridin' in his Jaguar
With a chick named Nellie Bly
Oh, if he was your man, honey
Let me tell you he was doin' you wrong"
Let me tell the story...
Frankie ran around the corner
And peeped in a swingin' place
And there she saw Johnny with a woman
He had his arm around her waist
Oh, he was her man alright
But Frankie could see that he was doin' her wrong
And, oh, let me tell you...
Frankie reached down in her pocket book
And up with a long forty-four
She shot once, twice, three times
And Johnny fell on the hardwood floor
Oh, he was her man alright
But she shot him 'cause he was doin' her wrong
But the last thing he told her was...
Frankie, you know I love you
Why, Honey, why did you do that
Frankie, I was telling her about you
Frankie, you know I love you
Frankie, you know that I love you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now Frankie, you know good and well that I love you
Frankie, I've always loved you, Baby
Frankie, you know I can't do without you
Frankie, you know I love you
I'm your man, I know I was doin' you wrong, wrong, wrong
Let me tell you, Frankie, Baby, you know I love you..........FADE
**********
As performed by ELVIS PRESLEY in the film "Frankie And Johnny"
(with additional music and lyrics by
Alex Gottlieb, Fred Karger & Ben Weisman) - 1966
Performed by:
Elvis Presley as Johnny
Donna Douglas as Frankie
Sue Ane Langdon as Mitzi
MALE CHORUS:
This story has no moral, hmmmmm
This story has no end, hmmmmm
This story only goes to show
FEMALE CHORUS:
That there ain't no good in men
They'll do you wrong
Yes, they'll do you wrong
JOHNNY:
Frankie and me we are lovers
Oh! Lordy, how we can love
Swore to be true to each other
Just as true as stars above
Frankie, I'm your man, I'll never do you wrong
I knew that I was a winner
When a new gal caught my eye
But I couldn't two-time Frankie
For that chick named Nellie Bly
I'm Frankie's man, I wouldn't do her wrong
Baby, leave me here to gamble
I'll be home before dawn
Don't wait up for me, Honey
And don't you worry while I'm gone
FRANKIE:
Johnny, you're my man, now don't you do me wrong
MALE CHORUS:
Johnny, he wasn't too lucky
He was a loser that night
So he tried to change his luck
With a gal who wasn't right
FEMALE CHORUS:
He's Frankie's man, but he's doin' her wrong
MITZI:
Frankie, I don't wanna make you no trouble
Honey, I don't wanna tell you no lie
But I saw your sweet man, Johnny
He was messin' 'round with that Nellie Bly
Well, if he's your man, then he's doin' you wrong
(*1*)
MALE CHORUS:
Frankie went back to find Johnny
She wasn't looking for fun
In her sweet dandy little hand
She was totin' a forty-four gun
To shoot her man 'cause he was doin' her wrong
Frankie looked into the bar room
Right there in front of her eyes
There was her sweet man Johnny
Making love to that Nellie Bly
FEMALE CHORUS:
He was her man, she caught him doing her wrong
FRANKIE: Johnny!
JOHNNY:
Frankie, I beg you, dont shoot me
Theyll put you away in a cell
Theyll put your where the cold wind blows
From the hottest corner of hell
FRANKIE:
Johnny, you're my man, but you're doin' me wrong
(Gunshot)
(*2*)
MALE CHORUS:
He was her man, but he done her wrong
The following lines were originally intended to be part of the song,
but were cut from the final production:
*1* FRANKIE:
If Johnny's out cheatin' with Nellie
Well then, I'm gonna have to do him in
'Cause he's my man, but he's doin' me wrong
*2* JOHNNY:
Please roll me over real easy
Please roll me over real slow
Roll me over gently
'cause my wound, it hurts me so
I was your man, I know I done you wrong
**********
As recorded by ELVIS PRESLEY - 1966
(Additional music and lyrics by
Alex Gottlieb, Fred Karger & Ben Weisman):
Frankie and me we were lovers
Oh! Lordy, how we did love
Swore we'd be true to each other
Just as true as stars above
I was her man, she caught me doin' her wrong
My luck at poker was fading
When a new gal caught my eye
I gambled, I tried to change my luck
With a chick named Nellie Bly
I was Frankie's man, but I was doin' her wrong
Yeah, Frankie came lookin' to find me
Yeah, she wasnt lookin' for fun
For in her sweet lovin' hand
She was a-totin' a forty-four gun
To shoot her man if he was doin' her wrong
Well, frankie looked into the bar room
And right there in front of her eye
There was her lovin' Johnny
Makin' love to that Nellie Bly
I was her man, she caught me doin' her wrong
Yeah, Frankie, I beg, please dont shoot me
Well they'll put you away in a cell
You know they'll put your where the cold wind blows
From the hottest corner of hell
I am your man, I know I done you wrong, yeah
Please roll me over real easy
Please roll me over real slow
Roll me over real gently
'Cause my wound, it hurts me so
I was her man, but I done her wrong
Well Frankie, oh Johnny
Well this is the end of my song
I was her man, but I done her wrong
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Yeah wrong!
**********
As recorded by MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD - 1977:
Well Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Lordy, how they did love
Frankie'd be true to Johnny
Just as true as stars above
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Frankie, she was a good woman
Good as a woman can be
She loved that man, Johnny
Deeper than the deep blue sea
You know he was her man, but he doin' her wrong
(Guitar Solo)
Frankie, she went to the tavern
To get herself a beer
Said to the fat bartender
"Has my lovin' Johnny been here?
He was my man, but he's been doin' me wrong"
"I ain't gonna tell you no story
I ain't gonna tell you no lie
I saw your man, Johnny
Makin' love to Nellie Bly
He is your man, but he's doin' you wrong"
Frankie, she went to the hotel
Peeped through the transom so high
Saw her man, Johnnie
Makin' love to Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he doin' her wrong
Frankie she went to her purse
Pulled out that ol' forty-one
Rooty-toot, she did shoot
That nasty old gun
You know she killed her man because he doin' her wrong
Johnny started moanin' and a-groanin'
"Frankie, don't you take my life"
"You know I been good to you
Come on, let me be your.....
You were my man, but you done me wrong"
(Guitar Solo)
Ain't no moral to this story
Ain't no moral to this song
If you have a good man
Better keep him strong
If he's your man, he will do you wrong
This is the end o' the music
This is the end o' the tale
She is burnin'
Somewhere down in Hell
A good woman, her man was doin' her wrong
**********
As performed by LINDSAY LOHAN in the
film "A Prairie Home Companion" - 2006
(Additional Lyrics by Garrison Keillor):
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
But he was doin' her wrong
He was doin' her wrong in a bad way
But she was good and strong
He was her man, but he was a jerk
In a hotel with Nellie Bly
And the gun went rooty-toot-toot
She shot the bastard in the heart
And ruined his nice suit
He was her man, but he was no damn good
So they took him up to the graveyard
And stuck him in the dirt
Which was oh, so very sad
And the waste of a nice clean shirt
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
(SPOKEN:)
(Lindsay: What's the next line?)
(Pianist: I've no idea!)
He had no idea what happened
He was wavin' hello to God
He died from eating squirrels
And they laid him in the sod
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
So that was Frankie and Johnny
And that's the end of my song
She put a hose in his tailpipe
'Cause he had done her wrong
He was her man and that's all she wrote
**********
ALTERNATE VERSION (1):
Frankie and Johnnie were lovers
Oh! Lordy, how they could love
They swore to be true to each other
True as stars above
He was her man, but he was doin' her wrong
Frankie and Johnnie went walking
Johnnie in his brand new suit
Then, "Oh! Good Lord," says Frankie
"Don't my Johnnie look real cute"
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
Frankie was a good woman
As everybody know
Spent a hundred dollars
Just to buy her man some clothes
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Just for a bucket of beer
She said to the fat bartender
"Has my Lovin' Johnnie been here?"
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
"I don't want to tell you no stories
And I don't want to tell you no lies
But I saw your man about an hour ago
With a gal named Nellie Bly
If he's your man, he's a-doin' you wrong"
Frankie went down to the hotel
Didn't go there for fun
Underneath her kimono
She carried a forty-four gun
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
Frankie looked over the transom
And found to her great surprise
There on a bed sat Johnnie
A-lovin' up on Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
Now, the first time that Frankie shot Johnnie
He let out an awful yell
Second time she shot him
There was a new man's face in Hell
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
"Roll me over so easy
Roll me over so slow
Roll me over on the right side
'Cause the left side hurts me so"
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
The Judge said to the Jury
"It's as plain as plain can be
This woman shot her lover
It's murder in the second degree
He was her man, but he was doin' wrong
This story has no moral
This story has no end
This story only goes to show
That there ain't no good in men
They'll do you wrong just as sure as you're born
**********
ALTERNATE VERSION (2):
Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Oh! Lordy, how they could love
They swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars above
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie and Johnny went walking
Johnny had a brand new suit
Frankie paid a hundred dollars
Just to make her man look cute
He was her man but he done her wrong
Johnny said, "I've got to leave you
But I won't be very long
Don't you wait up for me, honey
Nor worry while I'm gone"
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner
Stopped in to buy her some beer
Says to the fat bartender
"Has my Johnny man been here?"
He was her man, but he done her wrong
"Well, I ain't going to tell you no story
Ain't going to tell you no lie
Johnny went by 'bout an hour ago
With a girl named Nellie Bly
He is your man, but he's doing you wrong"
Frankie went home in a hurry
She didn't go there for fun
She hurried home to get a-hold
Of Johnny's shootin' gun
He was her men, but he's doin' her wrong
Frankie took a cab at the corner
Says, "Driver step on this cab"
She was just a desperate woman
Gettin' two-timed by her man
He was her man but, he's doin' her wrong
Frankie got out at South Clark Street
Looked in a window, so high
Saw her lover man, Johnny
A-lovin' up that high-brow Nellie Bly
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Johnny saw Frankie a-comin'
Out the back door he did scoot
But Frankie took aim with her pistol
And the gun went roota-toot-toot
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Oh, roll me over so easy
Roll me over so slow
Roll me over easy, boys
'Cause my wounds they hurt me so
I was her man, but I done her wrong
Bring out your long black coffin
Bring out your funeral clothes
Johnny's gone an' cashed his checks
To the graveyard, Johnny goes
He was her man, but he done her wrong
Drive out your rubber-tired carriage
Drive out your rubber-tired hack
There's twelve men going to the graveyard
But eleven comin' back
He was her man, but he done her wrong
The sheriff arrested poor Frankie
He took her to jail the same day
He locked her up in the dungeon cell
And he threw th key away
He was her man, but he done her wrong
*********************************************************
FRANKIE AND ALBERT
Recorded by:
Dykes Magic City Trio
Mississippi John Hurt - 1928
Charley Patton - 1929
Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter - 1939
Bob Dylan - 1992
Frankie was a good woman
Ev'rybody knows
She paid a hundred dollar bill
For little Albert a suit of clothes
For he's my man, my gambling man
Frankie went out to the barroom
She ordered up a glass of beer
Said she to the bartender
"Is my little Albert here?
For he's my man, my gambling man"
"Not a-gonna tell you any Frankie
Not a-gonna tell you no lies
He left here just about a moment ago
With a girl named Alice Fry
For he's your man, your gambling man"
Frankie went out a-walking
She did not go for fun
For under her apron she had concealed
A forty-four (Dansen ???) gun
"Gonna murder the man that done me wrong"
"Please don't murder me, Frankie
Please don't murder me now
For I love you, indeed I do
I know my love is true
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
"Turn me over, Frankie
Turn me over slow
Please don't touch my wounded side
My heart will overflow
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
**********
As recorded by BOB DYLAN - 1992:
Frankie was a good girl
Everybody knows
Paid one hundred dollars
For Albert's new suit of clothes
He was her man but he done her wrong
Albert said, "I'm leaving you
Won't be gone for long
Don't wait up for me
A-worry about me when I'm gone"
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner saloon
Get a bucket of beer
Said to the bartender
"Has my lovin' man been here?"
He was her man but he done her wrong
"Well, I ain't gonna tell you no stories
I ain't gonna tell you no lies
I saw Albert an hour ago
With a gal named Alice Bly"
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie went down to 12th Street
Lookin' up through the window high
She saw her Albert there
Lovin' up Alice Bly
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie pulled out a pistol
Pulled out a forty-four
Gun went off a rooty-toot-toot
And Albert fell on the floor
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie got down upon her knees
Took Albert into her lap
Started to hug and kiss him
But there was no bringin' him back
He was her man but he done her wrong
"Gimme a thousand policemen
Throw me into a cell
I shot my Albert dead
And now I'm goin' to hell
He was my man but he done me wrong"
Judge said to the jury
"Plain as a thing can be
A woman shot her lover down
Murder in the second degree"
He was her man but he done her wrong
Frankie went to the scaffold
Calm as a girl could be
Turned her eyes up towards the heavens
Said, "Nearer, my God, to Thee"
He was her man but he done her wrong
(Contributed by Karen Winter Pierce - December 2002)
*********************************************************
THE NEW FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE SONG
(Bob Gibson / Shel Silverstein)
(Same story, different words and music)
Bob Gibson - 1963
Also recorded by: John Denver; Greenwood County Singers;
The Brothers Four; Boyd Bunch; The Serendipity Singers.
Well, Frankie, she was a fine lookin' woman, had a man named Johnnie
And she loved him, Lord, she layed down a hundred for a suit of clothes
Don't you see them walkin' arm-in-arm down along Canal Street
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, ev'rybody knows
Well now, Frankie, she came home one evening just a little bit early
And she thought, "I better stop at the corner for a bottle o' beer"
Well, she sat down and she told her troubles to the fat bartender
Said, "Tell me, Fat Daddy, has my Johnnie man been here?"
He said, "Frankie, I'm terrible sorry you asked me that question
You know, well, I'm about as honest as a man can be
Saw Johnnie, he was walkin' down Main, he was feelin' no pain
He was slippin' and a-slidin' with a girl named Annabelle Lee
Well now, Frankie, she said, "Oh! no, no, it can't be so"
She said, "I know, I know Candy Man wouldn't treat me wrong
Well, she sat there, she had a few more beers, she shed a few more tears
She said, "I'm tired o' gettin' that mean old runaround"
Well then, Frankie, she got outta the taxi at the corner o' Clark Street
And looked up, she saw Johnnie and Annabelle swingin' there
Well, she pulled out, she took deadly aim with her forty-four pistol
And shot her Johnnie in the middle of his big affair
Well, Frankie, she was a fine lookin' woman, had a man named Johnnie
And she loved him, Lord, she layed down a hundred for a suit of clothes
Don't you see them walkin' arm-in-arm down along Canal Street
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, now the whole neighbourhood is talkin' about
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, ev'rybody knows, hey-hey!
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord ev'rybody knows!
**********
ALTERNATE VERSION:
Frankie, she was a fine 1ookin' woman, had a man named Johnnie
And she loved him, Lord, she laid down a hundred for a suit of clothes
Don't you see them walkin' arm in arm down along Canal Street
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, everybody knows
Now Frankie came home one evening just a little bit early
And she said, "Think I'm gonna stop and have me a beer"
So she went and she told her troubles to the fat bartender
Says, "Tell me, fat daddy, has my Johnnie man been here?"
He said, "Frankie, I'm sorry you asked me that personal question
But, you know, that I'm about as honest as a man can be
I seen Johnnie, he was clippin' and collidin' and a-slippin' and a slidin'
And a flippin' and a flyin' with a girl named Annabelle Lee"
Frankie said, "No, no, no, it can't be so
'Cause I know my Johnnie man wouldn't treat me bad"
So she sat and had a couple more beers and shed a couple more tears
Says, "I'm the best damn woman that scoundrel ever had"
Frankie got into a taxi and she said to the driver
"Listen—Don't stop for nothin' all the way downtown
'Cause I got a forty-five right here and I'm makin' it clear
That I'm lookin' for the man who's givin' me the runaround"
Frankie got out at South Clark Street and looked in the window
She saw Johnnie and Annabelle swingin' there
Then Frankie took deadly aim on that deadly game
And she shot her man right in the middle of his big affair
Bango, the first time she shot him, he stood right up
And bango, he leaned right over and he clutched his side
Then bango, he started kickin' and a-screamin' and a-screamin' and
a-kickin'
When bing—bong-bango, Johnnie rolled over and died
Now you heard the story 'bout Frankie and her man named Johnnie
And you know that was a game never should've been played
And the moral of this sad tale I'm tellin' you
If you're gonna fool around, then you better pull the shade
Frankie, she was a fine 1ookin' woman, had a man named Johnnie
And she loved him, Lord, she laid down a hundred for a suit of clothes
Don't you see them walkin' arm in arm down along Canal Street
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, everybody knows, hey-hey!
Frankie loved Johnnie, Lord, everybody knows!
***************************************************
(Song research and transcriptions by Mel Priddle - Nov 2010)
***************************************************
