Tom Dooley
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns · Country's Best on Record [RCA Victor] [1968]
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.
Met her on the mountain
There I took her life
Met her on the mountain
And stubbed her with my knife.
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.
--- Instrumental ---
This time tomorrow
Reckon where I'll be
Down in some lonesome valley
And swinging from the big pine tree.
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.
--- Instrumental ---
This time tomorrow
Reckon where I'll be
If it hadn't been Fort Felton
I'd've been in Nashville Tennessee.
Yeah, 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.
Come on now, 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...
Tom Dooley
Jim Ed Brown and the Browns deliver a spirited rendition of the traditional folk ballad "Tom Dooley," capturing the narrative intensity that defined the genre's golden era. This recording showcases the group's signature harmonies and polished country-folk delivery, transforming a regional legend into a widely recognized standard. The song recounts the tragic tale of a murder and subsequent trial, relying on its compelling storytelling rather than complex musical arrangements to engage listeners. As part of their broader discography, this track highlights the Browns' ability to bridge traditional Appalachian roots with mainstream country appeal. Their interpretation stands as a testament to the enduring power of folk narratives within the country music landscape, preserving the story for new generations of listeners.