“Sing-Sing”
Description
The singer and Johnny King are imprisoned in Sing-Sing. They make an attempt to break out, but they cannot create a large enough opening and are trapped. King is shot. Soon after, the singer is pardoned and gratefully bids farewell to prison
Supplemental text
Sing-Sing
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, Folk Songs
of the Catskills, #167, p. 609. As sung by Charles Hinckley, who
also claimed to be co-author.
Come all you fierce highwaymen, come listen to my song.
I'll sing to you a verse or two, and it won't take me long.
It's of a noted highwayman, all along with Johnny King,
For we got caught and sent away to a prison called Sing-Sing.
(3 additional stanzas)
Notes
Charles Hinkley, who gave the song to Cazden et al, claimed he was one of the two composers. The collectors admit the possibility, but only that.
This song is item dE52 in Laws's Appendix II. - RBW
References
- FSCatskills 167, "Sing-Sing" (1 text, 1 tune)
- ST FSC167 (Partial)
- BI, FSC167