Artist: Henry Whitter
Author: traditional
Label: Okeh
Year: 1925
Murder ballad based on true facts: there was a Peter de Graff convicted for murdering an Ellen Smith in 1893. Melody set to the tune of protestant hymn How Firm A Foundation. As the story is told in the first person, rumours circulated De Graff wrote his own song, smuggling the lyrics through the bars of his prison cell.
Covers:
Dykes Magic City Trio [Magic City stands for Kingsport, TN.]
Texas Gladden [Lomax recording]
Estil C. Ball [Lomax recording; they first spotted him in the thirties]
Hobart Smith [Lomax recording, first appeared on Atlantic lp Blue Ridge Mountain Music, reissued on box set Sounds Of The South; Hobart was Texas Gladden's brother]
Vester Jones [lived near the murder site]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)