He was best known as a pioneer of the acoustic blues revival, but his work ranged from old English ballads to Bertolt Brecht, rock, New Orleans jazz, and swing. He was a pioneer of instrumental ragtime guitar, as well as an early supporter of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, among many others. Van Ronk was very influential on the music scene in New York City in the 1960s.
His professional musical career started when he moved from Brooklyn to Queens in 1951 and started doing pick-up work in traditional jazz outfits.
Van Ronk died of colorectal cancer (colon cancer) in 2002.
Frankie and Albert
Dave Van Ronk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody knows
Paid one hundred dollars
For Albert's new suit of clothes
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Albert said "I'm leaving you"
Won't be gone for long
A-worry about me when I'm gone
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Frankie went down to the corner saloon
Get a bucket of beer
Said to the bartender
"Has my lovin' man been her ?"
He was her man but he done her wrong.
"Well, I ain't gonna tell you no stories
I ain't gonna tell you no lies
I saw Albert an hour ago
With a gal named Alice Bly"
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Frankie went down to 12th street
Lookin' up through the window high
She saw her Albert there
Lovin' up Alice Bly
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Frankie pulled out a pistol
Pulled out a forty-four
Gun went off a-rootie-toot-toot
And Albert fell on the floor
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Frankie got down upon her knees
Took Albert into her lap
Started to hug and kiss him
But there was no bringin' him back
He was her man but he done her wrong.
"Gimme a thousand policemen
Throw me into a cell
I shot my Albert dead
And now I'm goin' to hell"
He was my man but he done me wrong.
Judge said to the jury
"Plain as a thing can be
A woman shot her lover down
Murder in the second degree"
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Frankie went to the scaffold
Calm as a girl could be
Turned her eyes up toward the heavens
Said "Nearer, my God, to Thee"
He was her man but he done her wrong.
The song "Frankie and Albert" by Dave Van Ronk tells a story about a woman named Frankie, who is betrayed by her lover Albert. The song describes how Frankie paid one hundred dollars for Albert's new suit of clothes and how he later tells her that he is leaving her and not coming back. Distraught and determined to find out the truth, Frankie goes to the corner saloon and asks the bartender if he has seen Albert. The bartender informs her that he has seen him with another woman named Alice Bly.
In a fit of anger and heartbreak, Frankie goes to find Albert and eventually shoots him dead. In the end, Frankie is sentenced to death for murder in the second degree. In her final moments, she turns her eyes towards heaven and prays to God. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tragic love story with a violent and fatal ending. It is a heartbreaking tale of love, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Frankie was a good girl
Frankie was known to be a decent person.
Everybody knows
It is widely understood or acknowledged.
Paid one hundred dollars
Spent a considerable amount of money.
For Albert's new suit of clothes
To buy new attire for Albert.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Albert was Frankie's partner, but he betrayed her.
Albert said "I'm leaving you"
Albert told Frankie he was ending their relationship.
Won't be gone for long
It won't be a lengthy period of absence.
Don't wait up for me
Frankie should not expect Albert to return soon.
A-worry about me when I'm gone
Frankie should not be concerned about Albert's whereabouts after he leaves.
Frankie went down to the corner saloon
Frankie went to a nearby bar.
Get a bucket of beer
To acquire a large amount of beer.
Said to the bartender
Frankie spoke to the server.
"Has my lovin' man been here?"
Frankie inquires whether Albert visited the bar.
Well, I ain't gonna tell you no stories
The bartender intends to be truthful.
I ain't gonna tell you no lies
The bartender will not deceive Frankie.
I saw Albert an hour ago
Albert was seen an hour prior to Frankie's visit.
With a gal named Alice Bly
Albert was accompanied by a woman named Alice Bly.
Frankie went down to 12th street
Frankie traveled to a specific street.
Lookin' up through the window high
Frankie peered through a high window.
She saw her Albert there
Frankie observed Albert's presence.
Lovin' up Alice Bly
Albert was affectionate with Alice Bly.
Frankie pulled out a pistol
Frankie retrieved a firearm.
Pulled out a forty-four
Frankie took out a .44 caliber revolver.
Gun went off a-rootie-toot-toot
The gun discharged a loud, sudden noise.
And Albert fell on the floor
Albert collapsed to the ground.
Frankie got down upon her knees
Frankie knelt down.
Took Albert into her lap
Frankie cradled Albert's body.
Started to hug and kiss him
Frankie embraced and kissed Albert affectionately.
But there was no bringin' him back
Despite her efforts, Albert could not be revived.
"Gimme a thousand policemen
Frankie expresses a desire to be apprehended.
Throw me into a cell
Frankie wants to be incarcerated.
I shot my Albert dead
Frankie admits to killing Albert.
And now I'm goin' to hell"
Frankie is resigned to her fate in the afterlife.
Judge said to the jury
The judge addressed the jurors.
"Plain as a thing can be
The evidence is clear and indisputable.
A woman shot her lover down
Frankie killed Albert.
Murder in the second degree"
The specific charge against Frankie.
Frankie went to the scaffold
Frankie was led to the gallows.
Calm as a girl could be
Frankie was surprisingly composed.
Turned her eyes up toward the heavens
Frankie looked skyward.
Said "Nearer, my God, to Thee"
Frankie used a prayer to express her final thoughts.
He was her man but he done her wrong.
Reiterated to emphasize the central theme of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN S HURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind