James Stinson chose the alias, 'Clarence G' as a reference to an author 'Clarence G. Hamilton' who wrote books regarding music theory and music history. Some of the titles of the books are:
- Epochs in Musical Progress
- Outlines of Music History
- Sound: And Its Relation To Music
- Touch and Expression in Piano Playing
Drexciya, James Stinson, were very secretive in their production techniques and influences, but this is one of many Drexciyan mysteries solved.
Frankie and Johnny
Clarence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody knows
She gave her man Johnny a hundred dollar bill
Just to buy one suit of clothes
Frankie went down to the barroom
She ordered herself one glass of beer
She asked that bartending man "Tell me, has my sweet Johnny been here?"
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no stories"
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no lie"
He said, "Frankie, I saw Johnny about one hour ago
He was heading over, going to see Miss Nellie Bly"
She cried, "Hold me back
Hold me back, take away my gun
Hold me back, hold me back
Somebody, won't you please hold me back
Don't let me do what must be done"
Frankie went on over to that coke joint
She stood outside, she rang that bell
She said, "Alright, Johnny, you're my loving man
And if I find you in here I'm gonna shoot you
I'm gonna shoot you sure as hell"
Sure enough there Johnny was with Nellie Bly
He sees the gun in Frankie's hand, he says
"Frankie, don't shoot, I swear I won't treat you wrong no more"
That's for sure, 'cause by the time she was done with that gun
Her man was not gonna treat her wrong no more
Roll out your rubber tired carriages Roll out your rubber tired hacks
There's twelve men going to the graveyard
There's only eleven men coming back
The song "Frankie and Johnny" is a traditional American ballad that was first published in 1904. The song tells the tragic story of a woman named Frankie who gave her lover Johnny a hundred dollars to buy himself a suit of clothes. When she goes to the bar looking for Johnny, the bartender tells her that he saw Johnny with another woman, Nellie Bly. Frankie goes to a nearby "coke joint" and shoots Johnny dead. The last lines of the song describe Johnny's funeral procession, where one of the men who went to the graveyard did not return.
The lyrics of the song have been interpreted in various ways. Some people see Frankie as a strong woman who takes matters into her own hands, while others view her as a jealous and possessive lover. The song may also be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy and possessiveness in relationships, and the devastating consequences that can result.
The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and Johnny Cash. It has become a popular standard and has been featured in various films and TV shows. The song has also been the subject of numerous adaptations and parodies, and has been referenced in other songs and works of literature.
Line by Line Meaning
Frankie was a good woman
Frankie was known to be a good woman
Everybody knows
Her reputation was widely known
She gave her man Johnny a hundred dollar bill
Frankie gave $100 to Johnny
Just to buy one suit of clothes
So that he could buy a suit
Frankie went down to the barroom
Frankie visited a bar
She ordered herself one glass of beer
She ordered a beer for herself
She asked that bartending man
Frankie asked the bartender
"Tell me, has my sweet Johnny been here?"
She asked if Johnny was there
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no stories"
The bartender refused to lie to Frankie
He said, "Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no lie"
The bartender promised not to lie
He said, "Frankie, I saw Johnny about one hour ago
The bartender saw Johnny an hour ago
He was heading over, going to see Miss Nellie Bly"
Johnny was going to see another woman, Nellie Bly
She cried, "Hold me back
Frankie was upset and emotional
Hold me back, take away my gun
She wanted someone to stop her from using her gun
Somebody, won't you please hold me back
She asked someone to stop her
Don't let me do what must be done"
She didn't want to do anything irrational
Frankie went on over to that coke joint
Frankie went to a drug den
She stood outside, she rang that bell
She waited outside and rang the bell
She said, "Alright, Johnny, you're my loving man
Frankie spoke to Johnny
And if I find you in here I'm gonna shoot you
If Johnny was inside, Frankie threatened to shoot him
I'm gonna shoot you sure as hell"
She was determined to shoot Johnny
Sure enough there Johnny was with Nellie Bly
Frankie found Johnny with another woman
He sees the gun in Frankie's hand, he says
Johnny saw the gun in her hand
"Frankie, don't shoot, I swear I won't treat you wrong no more"
Johnny begged Frankie not to shoot and apologized
That's for sure, 'cause by the time she was done with that gun
Frankie shot Johnny
Her man was not gonna treat her wrong no more
Johnny was dead, so he couldn't treat her wrong anymore
Roll out your rubber tired carriages
This line is a call for hearses
Roll out your rubber tired hacks
Another call for hearses
There's twelve men going to the graveyard
Twelve men were buried
There's only eleven men coming back
One of the twelve was Frankie's lover, Johnny, who didn't come back
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHELLE SHOCKED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind