Frankie and Albert - Original - Charlie Patton

1. frankie was a good girl.

Everybody knows.

For albert’s new suite of clothes.

He was her man but he done her wrong.

2. albert said, «i'm leaving you.

Won’t be gone for long.

Don’t wait for me.

A-worry about me when i’m gone.»

He was her man but he done her wrong.

3. frankie went down to the corner saloon.

Get a bucket of beer.

Said to the bartender.

«has my lovin' man been here?»

He was her man but he done her wrong.

Instrumental

4. «well, i ain’t gonna tell you no stories.

I ain’t gonna tell you no lies.

I saw albert an hour ago.

With a gal named alice bly.»

He was her man but he done her wrong.

5. frankie went down to 12th street.

Lookin' up through the window high.

She saw her albert there.

Lovein' up alice bly.

He was her man but he done her wrong.

Instrumental

6. frankie pulled out a pistol.

Pulled out a forty-four.

Gun went off a rootie-toot-toot

And albert fell on the floor.

He was her man but he done her wrong.

7. frankie got down upon her knees.

Took albert into her lap.

Started to hug and kiss him.

But there was no bringin' him back.

He was her man but he done her wrong.

Instrumental

8. «gimme a thousand policemen.

Throw me into a cell.

I shot my albert dead.

And now i’m goin' to hell.

He was her man but he done me wrong.»

9. judge said to the jury.

«plain as a thing can be.

A woman shot her lover down.

Murder in the second degree.»

He was her man but he done her wrong.

Instrumental

10. frankie went to the scaffold.

Calm as a girl could be.

Turned her eyes up towards the heavens.

Said, «nearer, my god, to thee.»