Western Song: Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley is an American folk song, a traditional North Carolina folk song, to be exact. The Ballad of Tom Dooley drew basis on the much researched 1866 murder in Wilkes Country, North Carolina—the killing of Laura Foster allegedly by Tom Dula. Its original writers remain unknown despite gaining popularity in the North Carolina area during its time. However, G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter made the first commercial recording of the song in 1929, releasing it by May 2, 1930.
Many artists recorded Tom Dooley, but its popular hit version was by The Kingston Trio (Dave Guard, Nick Reynolds, and Bob Shane) in 1958. The Kingston Trio became one of America’s famed and most influential folk music groups. The song, Tom Dooley, contributed a lot to their success. It reached No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, climbed to Billboard R&B Chart’s Top 10, and rose in the Cashbox Country Music Top 20. It also became part of the American Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America or RIAA. Furthermore, members of the Western Writers of America selected it as part of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Other versions of the song include those recorded by Frank Proffitt, Frank Warner, and The Charleston Trio.
Table of Contents
About the Song, Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley (“Dooley” was the pronunciation of Tom Dula’s name by the locals in the part of North Carolina) was one of the famous murder ballads known today, a simple two-chord song about the murder of Laura Foster. Allegedly caused by a jealous rage, confederate veteran Tom Dula stabbed his unfaithful girlfriend to death with a large knife. Other sources claim that Ann Melton, Dula’s lover, carried out the murder out of jealousy. The motive for the murder remains uncertain, but several verifiable details about the murder exist. For example, the murder of Laura Foster happened on May 25, 1866, in Elkville, North Carolina. Foster had been stabbed near her heart by a large knife and buried her body in a shallow grave.
After facing a new trial on appeal in Statesville, the jury convicted Dula of murder and ultimately hung him on May 1, 1868, almost two years after the murder. The verdict remains controversial up to this day.
Shortly after the hanging, a local poet named Thomas C. Land wrote a song about Dula’s tragedy entitled “Tom Dooley.” Although independently created, Land’s poem and the ballad “Tom Dooley” drew basis from the same event.
Popular Recordings
Many artists covered the song and among the many notable versions were recorded by the following:
- Grayson and Whitter
- Frank Warner
- The Tarriers
- Paul Clayton
- The Kingston Trio
- Johnny Worth
- Eddy Arnold
- The New Lost city Ramblers
- Frank Proffitt
- Johnny Rivers
- The Charleston Trio
- The Brothers Four
- Murry Kellum
- Frank Zander
- The Statler Brothers
- River City Ramblers
- Bobbly Bare
- Tom Roush
Listen (The Kingston Trio Version)
Tom Dooley Lyrics
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die I met her on the mountain There I took her life Met her on the mountain Stabbed her with my knife Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die This time tomorrow Reckon where I'll be Hadn't a-been for Grayson I'd a-been in Tennessee Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die This time tomorrow Reckon where I'll be Down in some lonesome valley Hangin' from a white oak tree Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die Poor boy, you're bound to die Poor boy, you're bound to die Poor boy, you're bound to die...
