“The Newburgh Jail”

Description

The singer is arrested while in a bar. Held without trial for some time, he moves back and forth among prisons. At last he makes his escape (despite the shooting of the guards). He intends to keep moving and not be taken again

Supplemental text

Newburgh Jail, The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, Folk Songs
of the Catskills, #166, pp. 607-608. As sung by George Edwards.

Come listen, kind friends,
[And] I'll sing you a song,
It's only a short one,
It won't keep you long.

  Refrain:
  Says right! fal the diddle daddle,
  Whack! fal the diddle daddle,
  Right! fal dee-day.

I went walking to Newburgh,
I was thinking no harm,
When up steps old Morgan,
Takes me by the arm.

(Stanzas 1, 5, of 13)

Notes

This song is item dE53 in Laws's Appendix II. - RBW

References

1. FSCatskills 166, "The Newburgh Jail" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST FSC166 (Partial)
3. Roud #4606
4. BI, FSC166