Grayson is a non-binary American singer/songwriter who grew up in the Mormo… Read Full Bio ↴Grayson is a non-binary American singer/songwriter who grew up in the Mormon Church. They have been singing in front of audiences since they were three years old. At seventeen they relocated to Seattle where they co-founded the indie synth-pop band Neu Yeuth. A fashion chameleon who changes their look on a weekly basis- they are a social media darling, in-demand model, make-up artist, and fashion stylist. When not collaborating with sought after creatives on various projects they are recording their forthcoming EP. Grayson currently resides in Los Angeles where they enjoy hikes in Elysian Park while trying to perfect their lifelong dream of whistling through their teeth.

Tom Dooley
Grayson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Throughout history there have been many songs
Written about the Eternal Triangle
This next one tells the story of a Mr. Grayson
A beautiful woman, and a condemned man named Tom Dooley
When the sun rises tomorrow, Tom Dooley must hang

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die

I met her on the mountain, there I took her life
Met her on the mountain, stabbed her with my knife

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry (ah-uh-eye)
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die

This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Hadn't-a been for Grayson, I'd-a been in Tennessee (well now, boy)

Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry
Hang down your head and cry (ah poor boy, ah well-ah)
Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry
Poor boy, you're bound to die (ah well now boy)

Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry
Hang down your head and cry (ah poor boy, ah well-ah)
Hang down (your head) your head (Dooley) and cry
Poor boy, you're bound to die

This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Down in some lonesome valley hangin' from a white oak tree

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry (ah-uh-eye)
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die (ah well now boy)

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry (poor boy ah well uh)
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
Poor boy, you're bound to die

Poor boy, you're bound to die
Poor boy, you're bound to die

Overall Meaning

The song "Tom Dooley" tells the story of a man named Tom Dooley who has been charged with murder, and is set to be hung the next day. The lyrics of the song talk about his conviction, capture, and the crime itself. After meeting a woman on a mountain, Tom takes her life by stabbing her with his knife. The lyrics "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley" and "Poor boy, you're bound to die" set the tone for the song's melancholy melody. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the remorse and sadness of the situation.

The song is particularly interesting because it is based on a true story. Tom Dula, also known as Tom Dooley, was a real person who was tried and convicted of murdering a woman named Laura Foster in 1866. The song was written years later by Frank Proffitt, a folksinger who learned the tune from his aunt. Interestingly, Proffitt's version of the song is different from the original, which was sung by Grayson and Whitter in 1929, and features additional lyrics that were added over time.

Line by Line Meaning

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley, a condemned man, should lower his head in shame

Hang down your head and cry
Tom Dooley should cry for the crime he committed and the punishment he will face

Poor boy, you're bound to die
Tom Dooley is going to be executed and there is no escaping it

I met her on the mountain, there I took her life
Tom Dooley murdered a woman he met on the mountain

This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Tom Dooley is reflecting on where he will be the next day

Hadn't-a been for Grayson, I'd-a been in Tennessee
Tom Dooley's fate would have been different if not for Mr. Grayson's involvement

Down in some lonesome valley hangin' from a white oak tree
Tom Dooley knows he will be executed by hanging

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Henry Whitter, G.b. Grayson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@throatgorge2

2y↑10

wow these lyrics are way way way better than the popular ones recorded in the 50's and 60's!

@eternallife9786

48w↑2

I don't hate the Kingston trio but they make this song sound too happy😂

@PM12951

2y↑8

The original and still the best!

@eternallife9786

48w

This was probably saying and performed countless times before ever being recorded a little weird calling the first person to record an old time song the original

@Dulcimerist

44w↑1

Grayson's uncle was the guy who caught the real Tom Dooley, whose real name was Tom Dula, about 60 years before this recording.
A local poet named Thomas C. Land wrote the lyrics to this song about 60 years before this first recording.