Tom Dooley
Kingston Trio Lyrics


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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 Kingston Trio's song "Tom Dooley" tells the story of a man named Tom Dooley who has been condemned to hang for murder. The lyrics suggest that Dooley has killed a woman on a mountain and he will hang the following day. The song also mentions a love triangle involving Dooley, a woman, and a man named Grayson who may have been involved in the murder, as the lyrics say, "Hadn't-a been for Grayson, I'd-a been in Tennessee."


The song's mournful melody and lyrics evoke a sense of sadness and empathy for the doomed protagonist. The repeated refrain "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley" amplifies the song's themes of regret and despair. The lyrics also create a vivid picture of the scene and setting, with lines like "Down in some lonesome valley hangin' from a white oak tree."


Overall, "Tom Dooley" is a hauntingly beautiful folk song that tells a story of love, crime, and punishment. The Kingston Trio's rendition of the song has stood the test of time, and its popularity has made it a classic in the American folk canon.


Line by Line Meaning

Throughout history there have been many songs
There are many songs throughout history.


Written about the eternal triangle
Many songs have been written about love triangles.


This next one tells the story of a Mr. Grayson,
This song tells the story of a man named Mr. Grayson.


A beautiful woman, and a condemned man named Tom Dooley
The story involves a beautiful woman and a man named Tom Dooley who is to be executed.


When the sun rises tomorrow, Tom Dooley must hang
Tom Dooley is scheduled to be executed tomorrow.


Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley should lower his head.


Hang down your head and cry
Tom Dooley should cry.


I met her on the mountain, there I took her life
Tom Dooley met the woman on the mountain and killed her there.


Met her on the mountain, stabbed her with my knife
Tom Dooley killed the woman he met on the mountain by stabbing her with his knife.


This time tomorrow reckon where I'll be
Tom Dooley thinks about where he will be at the same time tomorrow.


Hadn't-a been for Grayson, I'd-a been in Tennessee (well now, boy)
If it weren't for Grayson, Tom Dooley would have gone to Tennessee instead of getting into trouble.


Down in some lonesome valley hangin' from a white oak tree
Tom Dooley feels like he will be alone in a valley hanging from a tree after his execution.


Poor boy, you're bound to die
Tom Dooley is going to die soon.




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEFAN WACHTBERG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MalcolmRuthven

Long ago in the late 1960s in a bar in Sausalito, California, someone started playing a guitar and singing. Most people didn't pay much attention and just drifted in and out as people do in a bar. But my friend and I recognized him as Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, who was performing anonymously for the fun of it. What a treat it was.

@sheilahartney9777

Oh, my. I cannot begin to imagine how amazing that would have been. You are so fortunate.

@oldmanfred8676

Very Cool Malcolm!

@sheldonbodryn1003

I think you mean the late 50s. I remember them from before I went in the service. Then came the Brothers Four. But Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie came long before. Great stuff.

@masonritchie1712

no name bar or smittys?

@MalcolmRuthven

@@masonritchie1712 No, on Bridgeway south of Princess St. Possibly where Angelino restaurant is now.

24 More Replies...

@stephendrummer1542

3 guys, 2 guitars, 1 banjo, a big bag of wonderful songs that have stood the test of time.

@EPA18

I just wrote a comment that's the opposite of yours. I do not think the Kingston Trio withstood the test of time. They seem very dated.

@FYMASMD

@@EPA18 so what.

@davidthelander1299

200 years from now, Kingston Trio will still be enjoyed.

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