“Marian Parker (II)”

Description

Marian Parker, "a sweet little darling," is "lured away from school" so that the kidnapper (unnamed) can demand a ransom. Her father finds her mangled body. The ballad concludes with moralizing stanzas

Notes

This is item dF56 in Laws's Appendix II. Laws lists a total of four Marian Parker ballads (the others are F33, dF57, and dE49, "Edward Hickman"). This one, with no details and an extremely sticky tone, begins "In a home out in Los Angeles Lived a sweet little darling so fair. 'Twas a pleasure her loved ones to be, But her loved ones her joy no more they'll share." - RBW

Historical references

• Dec 14, 1927 - Kidnapping and murder of twelve (eleven?)-year-old Marian Parker
• Dec 17, 1927 - Discovery by her father of the girl's mutilated body
• Oct 19, 1928 - Execution of William Edward Hickman for the murder

Cross references

• cf. "Marian Parker (I)" [Laws F33] (subject)
• cf. "Marian Parker (III)" (subject)
• cf. "Edward Hickman (Marian Parker IV)" (subject)

Recordings

• John McGhee, "The Marion Parker Murder" (Champion 15427=probably Gennett 6362)

References

1. BrownII 255, "The Murder of Marian Parker" (1 text)
2. Roud #4126
3. BI, LdF56