Hi all,
Bill Williams recorded "Frankie and Johnny" on his first Blue Goose album, accompanying himself out of g position in standard tuning. His guitar part is just ripping and he has several nice touches in his lyrics that we've not heard in this song previously. He sang the best-known melody, the one most often used for the song, as did Bill Broonzy.
SOLO
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts, oh how they could love
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 on a brand new suit
Frankie had paid one hundred bucks to make her man look cute
He was her man, but he done her wrong
SOLO
Then Johnny said, "Frankie, I'm leaving, baby, and it won't be long.
Don't you stay up, don't you wait and don't you worry while I'm gone."
I was your man, but I done you wrong
Then Frankie went down to the barroom and she called for a glass of beer
"Mister bartender, tell me, have my lovin' Johnny been here?
He was my man, but he done me wrong."
"I don't want to cause no trouble, but I ain't gon' tell you no lie.
Your man left here about an hour ago with a girl called Nellie Blye
He was your man, but he done you wrong."
SOLO
Then Frankie went down to the hardware and she didn't go for fun
She laid down a twenty dollar bill for a blue steel .41
"I'm gon' kill my man, 'cause he done me wrong."
Then Frankie went down to a hotel, and she looked in the window so high
Saw her lovin' Johnny, making love to Nellie Blye
She shot her man, 'cause he done her wrong
SOLO
All best,
Johnm
