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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) ***************************************************

    





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