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The Kingston Trio released their hit version of "Tom Dooley" in 1958. It went on to reach #1 on Billboard's charts and did well on the country stations as well. The song itself has a very historic and somber beginning. A local poet named Thomas Land wrote a song about the tragedy, titled "Tom Dooley" (which was how Dula's name was pronounced), shortly after Dula was hanged. In 1866, Laura Foster was viciously murdered. A Confederate vet named Tom Dula, who was Foster's lover and the father of her unborn child, was convicted of her murder and hanged May 1, 1868. Foster had been stabbed to death with a large knife, and the brutality of the attack partly led to the trickle of information, so that everyone knew of this account. The song was selected as one of the American Songs of the Century by the RIAA. Lyrics to "Tom Dooley" 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 Hangdown 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) Hangdown 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) Hangdown (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) Hangdown (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) Hangdown your head, Tom Dooley Poor boy, you're bound to die (ah well now boy) Hang down your head, Tom Dooley Hangdown 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 (Source For Lyrics: Google Play Lyrics) YouTube Other Versions of the Song In the documentary Appalachian Journey (1991), folklorist Alan Lomax inaccurately describes Frank Proffitt as the "original source" for the song. The Kingston Trio took their version from Frank Warner's singing. Warner had learned the song from Proffitt, who learned it from his Aunt Nancy Prather, whose parents had known both Laura Foster and Tom Dula. Watch the story below.... What a story and what a song. Below is a more recent performance of the song by The Kingston Trio. What songs do you think have the most interesting stories behind them? Please share your comments below... You Might Also Want To Read About These Folk Song Favorites: "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore", "Leaving On A Jet Plane" and my favorite, "Puff The Magic Dragon" (Source) ALSO RELATED: Bob Shane, The Kingston Trio Founding Member Dies At 85

The Kingston Trio: “Tom Dooley”

Happy 70th Birthday Sir Elton John! – March 25, 1947