Rory Block was born in Princeton, New Jersey and grew up in Manhattan. Her father, Allan Block, ran a sandal shop in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, and the constant presence of members of the Greenwich Village folk music scene made an impression on the young girl, who studied classical guitar. Around age 14, she began to be fascinated by old Mississippi Delta blues, listening to old albums, transcribing them, and learning to play the songs. At age 15, she left home to seek out the remaining blues giants, such as Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis and Son House, and hone her craft in the traditional manner of blues musicians; then she moved to California where she played in clubs and coffeehouses.
After retiring temporarily to raise a family, Block returned to the music business in the 1970s with middling success until signing with Rounder Records in 1981, who encouraged her to return to her love for the classical blues form. Since then she has carved out her own niche, releasing numerous critically acclaimed albums of original and traditional songs, including many Robert Johnson covers. Block has won four W. C. Handy Awards, two for "Traditional Blues Female Artist" (1997, 1998), and two for "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" (1996, 1999).
Frankie and Albert
Rory Block Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ev'rybody knows
She paid a hundred dollar bill
For little Albert a suit of clothes
For he's my man, my gambling man
Frankie went out to the barroom
She ordered up a glass of beer
"Is my little Albert here?
For he's my man, my gambling man"
"Not a-gonna tell you any Frankie
Not a-gonna tell you no lies
He left here just about a moment ago
With a girl named Alice Fry
For he's your man, your gambling man"
Frankie went out a-walking
She did not go for fun
For under her apron she had concealed
A forty-four (Dansen ???) gun
"Gonna murder the man that done me wrong"
"Please don't murder me, Frankie
Please don't murder me now
For I love you, indeed I do
I know my love is true
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
"Turn me over, Frankie
Turn me over slow
Please don't touch my wounded side
My heart will overflow
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
The song "Frankie and Albert" tells the tragic tale of a woman named Frankie, who is desperately in love with a man named Albert, despite his gambling addiction and cheating ways. Frankie buys Albert a suit of clothes and proudly declares him to be "her man," though she knows all too well the risks of being with someone who is more interested in games of chance than in loyalty and love. When Frankie goes to a bar to find Albert, she is confronted by a bartender who tells her that Albert has just left with another woman named Alice Fry. Heartbroken and angry, Frankie decides to take matters into her own hands.
The lyrics take a dramatic turn when Frankie reveals that she has hidden a loaded gun under her apron, vowing to "murder the man that done me wrong." When she finds Albert with Alice Fry, she is consumed with rage and shoots him in the chest. As Albert lies dying, he pleads with Frankie to spare him, declaring his love for her and begging for forgiveness. The song ends on a melancholy note as Frankie mourns the loss of her lover, realizing too late that her passion and jealousy had led to nothing but heartache and tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
Frankie was a good woman
Frankie was known to be a good and virtuous person
Ev'rybody knows
Her goodness was a well-known fact
She paid a hundred dollar bill
She spent a considerable amount of money
For little Albert a suit of clothes
To buy Albert a piece of clothing
For he's my man, my gambling man
Because Albert was her romantic partner and a gambler
Frankie went out to the barroom
Frankie went to a bar
She ordered up a glass of beer
Frankie asked for a beer to drink
Said she to the bartender
Frankie spoke to the bartender
"Is my little Albert here?
Frankie asked if Albert was at the bar
For he's my man, my gambling man"
Because she wanted to see Albert
"Not a-gonna tell you any Frankie
The bartender refused to give away information
Not a-gonna tell you no lies
He won't deceive her either
He left here just about a moment ago
Albert had left the bar not long ago
With a girl named Alice Fry
Albert left the place with another woman named Alice Fry
For he's your man, your gambling man"
The bartender confirmed that Albert was her partner and a gambler
Frankie went out a-walking
Frankie went out for a walk
She did not go for fun
Frankie didn't take a walk for pleasure
For under her apron she had concealed
Hidden underneath her clothing was
A forty-four (Dansen ???) gun
A .44 caliber handgun
"Gonna murder the man that done me wrong"
She planned to kill the person who wronged her
"Please don't murder me, Frankie
Albert begged Frankie not to kill him
Please don't murder me now
He pleaded not to be killed at that moment
For I love you, indeed I do
He professes his love for her and claims it is true
I know my love is true
He insists that his love is genuine
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
Despite his feelings for her, he admits to being the one who wronged her
"Turn me over, Frankie
Albert requests to be turned onto his side
Turn me over slow
He asks for a gentle treatment
Please don't touch my wounded side
He requests that she avoids his injury
My heart will overflow
He says he will die if his heart is touched
But I'm the man that done you wrong"
Again, he acknowledges his wrongdoing towards her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN S HURT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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