Tom Dooley

Frank and Anne Warner collected this song from Frank Proffitt in the 1940s.
The Kingston Trio had a big hit with this song in the late 50s but the tune was altered to make it more lyrical (and therefore more pleasing to a wider audience) but I prefer the old-timey orginal version.
Played here on my tenor banjo.
In 2001, on my way to the Merlefest, I visited Tom Dula's grave (his real name) in Ferguson, Wilkes County, North Carolina

THE WORDS & CHORDS TO THIS SONG AT:
www.youtube.com/LDsongscreen

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lew
• Dite
• Frank
• Proffitt
• Warner
• collection

[Didgeman80]

Very nice, enjoyed that very much, thanks!

Is that a tenor banjo? Same tuning as a mandolin?

Sounds great!

[lewdite]

Yes it is a tenor banjo but I tune it like the first 4 strings on a guitar DGBE

[Blainesenior]

I love your sweet simple style. It takes me to another era. Thank you.

Warm regards,

Blaine

[lewdite]

Appreciated...

[68jaker]

This is what i'm talking about.

[daviddpb75]

Thank you for keeping American Folk music alive. Label it Bluegrass or what ever, it was what FOLKS played then.

[coolanddark]

Fantastic John!!! I have always enjoyed this old murder ballad. My Dead and in the dumpster was partly inspired from this classic masterpiece.

[raymondcrooke]

Can't go wrong with this song, Lew. Nice to hear the older version. Very appropriate for the porch setting.

[sabbia12]

great great song ....great cover

[SirCoughsalot]

I think I prefer it this way, but I always sing the Kingston Trio version so the family can sing along. That picture'd make a great cover for your next album, by the way.