Songbook/Tom Dooley

Guitar Guitar/Chord changes C-Am

Tom Dooley

Folk song from North Carolina (19th century) – Text and melody: Trad. various text sources, arranged by Mjchael  

The song is based on the murder of Laura Foster from North Carolina in 1866. Thomas C. Dula maintained his innocence until his execution. The Kingston Trio sold over 3,000,000 singles with this title in 1958.

<poem>

1

[G]Hang down your head, Tom Dooley. - Hang down your[(][Am][)]head and[D]cry

Killed[(][Am][)]poor Laura[D]Foster. - You know you're[(][D7][)]bound to[G]die

2

[G]You took her on the hillside, - as God al-[Am]mighty[D]knows

You[Am]took her on the[D]hillside - and there you[D7]hid her[G]clothes

3

[G]You took her by the roadside - where you[Am]begged to be ex-[D]cused

You[Am]took her by the[D]roadside - where there you[D7]hid her[G]shoes

4

[G]You took her on the hillside - to make[Am]her your[D]wife

You[Am]took her on the[D]hillside - where there you[D7]took her[G]life

5

[G]Take down my old violin - and play it[Am]as you[D]please

At[Am]this time to-[D]morrow, - it'll be no[D7]use to[G]me

6

[G]I dug a grave four foot long, - I dug it[Am]three feet[D]deep

And[Am]throwed the cold clay[D]o'er her - and tramped it[D7]with my[G]feet

7

[G]This world and one more then where do you[Am]reckon I'd[D]be

If[Am]it hadn't been for[D]Grayson, - I'd a-[D7]been in Tennes-[G]see

Am and D7 can be omitted if necessary.