Frankie and Johnny 2
Channel: Stephen Griffith
Date: 25/04/2020

Day 40 of the American Songbag Stay-at-Home Series  (folksongindex.com)

These are the same lyrics as Frankie and Johnny 1, although a more familiar tune.

Sandburg writes: "Lastly, for those about to sing this piece, we should note that in several places, in San Francisco,  Omaha, Fort Worth, Fort Smith, Fort Scott and Dubuque the verse about the man under the doctor's  care crying, "Roll me over easy," or "Turn me over, doctor," has no tune; all present joining in a  wide, wild, disconnected wailing. [EDITORS NOTE: Not that I followed Sandburg's instructions.] Also, we note, by alternating the names of Albert and Johnny,  or Frankie, Josie, Sadie, any verse of any song goes for all.

"The air of version II of Frankie and  Johnny, carries all the verses of version I, except that the repeat, " so wrong " isn't used. While  it may seem a discrepancy that Frankie, threatened with the electric chair, ends her days on the  gallows, it should also be understood that several versions of the song picture her starting to join  a county chain gang, wearing a ball and chain attached to one of her ankles."