Tom Dooley
The Kingston Trio
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Throughout history there have been many songs Written about the eternal triangle This next one tells the story of a Mr. Grayson, A beautiful woman, and a condemned man named Tom Dooley When the sun rises tomorrow, Tom Dooley must hang 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 (ah-uh-eye) 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 (well now, boy) Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry Hang down your head and cry (ah poor boy, ah well-ah) Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry Poor boy, you're bound to die (ah well now boy) Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry Hang down your head and cry (ah poor boy, ah well-ah) Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry 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 (ah-uh-eye) Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die (ah well now boy) Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hang down your head and cry (poor boy ah well uh) 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
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: Alan Lomax, Frank Warner, John A. Lomax
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Release Date"Tom Dooley" by The Kingston Trio was released in 1958.
|
Charts PerformanceThe song was a commercial success and reached No.1 on the Billboard Pop chart.
|
InspirationThe song is based on the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and the man hanged for the crime, Tom Dula.
|
Pop Culture ImpactThe song's popularity sparked off the folk revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s, influencing notable artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
|
Grammy Recognition"Tom Dooley" won a Grammy Award in 1959 for Best Country & Western Performance.
|
Record SalesThe single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.
|
Popular VersionThe version we know today by The Kingston Trio is an adaptation of a old North American folk song.
|
Earlier VersionsFolklorist Frank Warner had already recorded a version of the song in 1940. Also, artists such as G. B. Grayson and Henry Whitter had recorded earlier versions during the 1920s.
|
Henry Whitter's ContributionHenry Whitter, an early country music recording artist, is known for recording an instrumental version of "Tom Dooley" in 1923.
|
LegacyThe Kingston Trio's "Tom Dooley" remains one of the most popular and recognizable songs in the folk genre.
|
Lyrics OriginThe song's lyrics are often attributed to Thomas Land who might have learned them from his mother, who reputedly knew and sang hundreds of old-time songs.
|
Song Message"Tom Dooley" is a ballad that tells the story of a protagonist who is sentenced to death after being convicted of murder.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Tom Dooley Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/10564243/The+Kingston+Trio/Tom+Dooley>.
Discuss the Tom Dooley Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In