John Wilkes Booth

This song is performed by Tony Rice from his Rounder Records CD "Native American." The song was written for him by Mary Chapin Carpenter. It's about John Wilkes Booth, his fantasy about being a patriot, his assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the hangings that followed. A dream of Lincoln's is mentioned in the song:

"He dreamed at night of his death by the hand
Of a bitter world and a faceless man
And he saw his body in a ghastly dream
Draped in black while his widow screamed
Two silver dollars on his eyelids lay
"Abraham Lincoln has died today."

Read the words of Abraham Lincoln about his premonition:

"About ten days ago, I retired very late. I had been up waiting for important dispatches from the front. I could not have been long in bed when I fell into a slumber, for I was weary. I soon began to dream. There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible.

I went from room to room; no living person was in sight, but the same mournful sounds of distress met me as I passed along. I saw light in all the rooms; every object was familiar to me; but where were all the people who were grieving as if their hearts would break? I was puzzled and alarmed. What could be the meaning of all this? Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. There I met with a sickening surprise.

Before me was a catafalque, on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng of people, gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers, 'The President,' was his answer; 'he was killed by an assassin.'

Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which woke me from my dream. I slept no more that night; and although it was only a dream, I have been strangely annoyed by it ever since."

-- President Abraham Lincoln

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




Note: This is my not-for-profit video and use of content does not infringe upon any copyright. It is fair use under US law.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John Wilkes Booth
• Tony Rice
• Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Mary Surratt
• Rounder
• Abraham Lincoln

[Bikewer]

Never could understand why this great tune never became more popular. Perhaps people thought it was "pro" Lincoln's assassin....

I believe it was written by Mary Chapin Carpenter.

[Iddybud]

@Bikewer - I think you're quite right. I aimed to include the history within the video for increased understanding of Mary Chapin Carpenter's words. Thanks for listening/watching! ~ Jude

[cottonjeff]

Dear Lord, please bless the soul's of these poor dead Southern Patriots who gave their all for what they knew to be right.Please let them know peace in their death. Amen.

[mudandbleach]

@deblovesbluegrass - "Edwin... never worked again"

This is not true. Although Edwin spent a number of months off the stage after the assassination, he returned to the theatre to standing ovations. He toured all over the country and even did runs through England and mainland Europe (including hugely successful performances in Germany and Austria). It was a testament to Edwin Booth's talent that he WAS able to work again, and be successful, for many years after his brother John's deed.

[mudandbleach]

From 2:19 to about 2:26, the man in the photo is John Wilkes' brother, Edwin Booth. Edwin was perhaps the greatest Hamlet in the history of the United States and certainly the most famous Shakespearean actor of the 19th century. He was also a fervent supporter of Lincoln and the northern cause. A fascinating historical figure.

[peerman2011]

@1980kyboy Booth was trying to help you? How did that work out for you southern folk?

[KgcVids]

@LeonardBanjo i only dont like him because he could have started another civil war but no he had to take out his stupid revenge. yes lincoln didnt like the south but we could have done the orginal plan wich was capture him to get our southern leaders back and redo the war.

[LeonardBanjo]

I H-A-T-E John Wilkes Booth!

[1980kyboy]

God love John Wilkes Boothe! He only done what he thought was gonna help the south! Yes murder is murder but Boothe had a real cause. NOTHING like 9-11-2001. Boothe tried helping us southern folk

[MrIncredibleGuy]

john wilkes booth is the tyrant