Frankie and Johnnie by the Jazz Tuber Trio

From a concert on Jazz Treatments of Trauma and Resilience, featuring Jimmy Mazzy, banjo and vocals, Ted Casher, clarinet and tenor sax, and narration and tuba by Eli Newberger. To view the entire performance, please click here:
http://www.elinewberger.com
Traditional Lyrics as sung by Josh White:

Frankie and Johnnie were sweethearts,
Oh, Lordy, how they could love.
They swore to be true to each other,
As true as the stars above,

He was her man, but he was doing her wrong.

Now it wasn't murder in the 1st degree,
It wasn't murder in the 3rd,
Frankie, she merely dropped her man
Just like a hunter dropped the bird,

He was her man, but he was doing her wrong.

First time she shot him he staggered,
Next time she shot him he fell,
Next time she shot him, lordy, lord
There was a new mans face in hell.

He was her man, but he was doing her wrong.

Now I went downtown in Harlem
And as far as I could see
All I saw was a 2 string bow,
Playing Nearer My God to Thee.

All over town, poor Johnny's dead.

This story has no moral,
This story has no end,
This story only goes to show
There ain't no good in some men.

They'll do you wrong, just as sure as you're born!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Josh White
• Jimmy Mazzy
• Eli Newberger
• Jazz Tuber Trio
• jazz banjo
• jazz tuba

[geriatric1927]

Love it. The tuber has so much more power than the double bass. Great performance.

[nhemeter]

Love that song! Love it Jazz Tuber Trio.

Nita Hemeter

[mezobanjo]

One of the greatest banjoists of this era Jimmy Mazzy. There is noone else like him. If you play any kind of banjo, or like any kind of banjo you need to hear Jimmy Mazzy whenever you can. Thank you Jimmy. Peter Mezoian

[matreat1]

Wonderful! This is the version my dad used to sing...

[agbz]

Wow! That was awesome! The banjo-tuba duo is really right on. Your music is like a painting. You add some banjo mixed with tuba, then banjo mixed with clarinet, then a mix of all three. You guys are really talented. Felicitaciones!