Frankie and Johnny

From Vol. 1
Traditional Treasures

SUGGESTED KEY: A

CAPO: None

CHORD FAMILY: A

TIME SIGNATURE: 2/2

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

A Little About This Song…

One historian dates this melody as far back as 1840; it’s said to have been played at the siege of Vicksburg in 1863 and in St. Louis by the 1880’s. As often happens, the tune picked up its most memorable set of lyrics in 1899 when 22-year-old Frankie Baker shot 17-year-old Albert Britt to death in St. Louis over another woman, Alice Pryor. Inspired by the sensational story, the following night – Bill Dooley, a black pianist and songwriter – composed the lyrics to “Frankie and Albert” which would become the classic “Frankie and Johnny”. The American Songbag has 29 verses!

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