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Frankie and Johnny: A Murderous Folk Music Standard

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The Classic Folk Story of Frankie and Johnny

Frankie and Johnny has been covered and recorded for a hundred years. While the music for Frankie and Johnny was copyrighted to Hughie Cannon in 1904, there have been various claims regarding the authorship of the lyrics. Some claim that the song goes back to the 1820s. The story may be based on a true murder, or on one of a pair of women named Frankie who were wronged and sought revenge, or even include the details of a third nefarious lovers' spat in St. Louis, Missouri. You can find an exploration of all three of these sources at Bluegrass Messengers. You'll also find an enormous list of recorded bluegrass cover versions of Frankie and Johnny and a different version of the lyrics than the one I've posted here (apparently a later version, as it mentions the electric chair).

Here, you'll find clips and music videos of some of those versions. Hundreds of people, including such luminaries as Bill Bill Broonzy, Lena Horne, the Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Tah Mahal, and Louis Armstrong.

Muisic Videos of Frankie and Johnny

I know the Cid Charisse video title doesn't say it, but she's dancing to a great big-band version of Frankie and Johnny. The Lindsay Lohan video includes both Frankie and Johnny and Red River Valley, a little two-for-one bonus for you.
Chet Atkins- Frankie & Johnny
by petergun57 | video info

35 ratings | 27,022 views
curated content from YouTube

Traditional Lyrics for Frankie and Johnny

Frankie and Johnny were lovers
O 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 ahold, Of Johnny's shootin' gun
He was her men but he's doing 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 Johnny, man, 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

O, 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

Preview Cover Versions of Frankie and Johnny

Here are some of the many, many different takes on this traditional blues song. There are literally hundreds of different versions available, so run a search for "Frankie and Johnny" to find even more!

Guitar Tabs for Frankie and Johnny

The Johnny Cash Cover Version


I've only included the first verse because the song has no chorus or bridge and all of the verses follow the same pattern. It's an incredibly adaptable song, and you can make up verses, adding as many or as few as you like to tell the story. Perhaps that's why it's been a folk music standard for so long.

Frankie and Johhny Movies

The original Elvis Presley movie from 1966 and 1991's verions with Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nathan Lane.
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What Are Others Saying About Frankie and Johnny?

Rodgers Remembrance Vol III – Frankie and Johnny
There was Waiting For A Train, In The Jailhouse Now, and one called Frankie and Johnny. I asked Dad if that was the same as Cash's Frankie's Man, Johnny. He chuckled then said, ?Kinda. You can have that. We'll listen to it in the car on the way home ...
Boyd Gaines & Richard Thomas Lead New AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Interpretation at ...
... Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Love! Valour! Compassion!; A Small Family Business; Sylvia; Putting It Together; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin.'
Broadway's real star this theater season
Her enthusiasm paid off when his next show, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, became a massive hit that was presented around the world and turned into a Hollywood movie. Because MTC is a nonprofit, Ms. Meadow's creative decisions aren't ...
Plays by Lila Feinberg, Andrew Dolan, Seth Bockley and Others Get Aired in NYC ...
Araca's producing credits include Urinetown: The Musical, Wicked, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Boeing-Boeing, The Laramie Project, Debbie Does Dallas, The Vagina Monologues, The Scene, Fault Lines, The Wedding Singer, Match, ...
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Who Performs Your Favorite Version of Frankie and Johnny?

Which is your favorite movie?

  • BrandonSharp Sep 24, 2011 @ 6:55 pm | delete
    Nice lens. The only version of Frankie and Johnny that I have ever heard is by Sam Cooke. My Mom used to play it all the time.
  • Papier Sep 11, 2011 @ 12:34 am | delete
    Louis Armstrong, by a mile, although I really enjoyed all the sngers.
  • FoxMusic Jan 29, 2011 @ 7:06 pm | delete
    Nina Simone Performed the Tale of Frankie and Johnny in a Grand Fashion
  • OhMe Jan 27, 2010 @ 7:42 pm | delete
    Frankie and Johnny was one of my favorites songs especially by The Kingston Trio. Lensrolling to The Brothers Four. Great work on this lens about a great song!
  • grannysage Aug 1, 2009 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    My memories you stirred up here. I had to play the Chet Atkins version as my dad was a huge fan of his. I love the guitar chords too. I used to play that song on my guitar! I didn't realize it had such a history. I learn so much reading other people's lenses.
  • rms Aug 1, 2009 @ 10:16 am | delete
    This is wonderful!
  • 2FriendsTreasures May 2, 2009 @ 4:19 pm | delete
    Informative lens - 5 stars - Elvis is the only Frankie & Johnny I know.
  • mysticmama Mar 21, 2009 @ 10:15 pm | delete
    Very cool lens...love that you included the guitar chords...5*
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If you just can't get enough covers and versions, get more information these other songs.
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