Songs about Lizzie Borden
“You Can’t Chop Your Poppa Up in Massachusetts” is a well-known Lizzie tune but a few others have tackled the subject. Flotsam and Jetsam, a thrash metal band from Phoenix, on the 1986 album Doomsday for the Deceiver put their spin on the old story. You may just want to turn the volume down a little!
Lyrics
A young maiden with a demon in her soul,
A twisted mind with secrets to unfold.
An innocent face, a deceiving smile,
Under no suspicion, servant to Belial.
The axe came down… Blood all around…
She lurks possessed, without a sound,
Butchers her Dam when no one is around.
The next day her Sire feels her wrath,
She has no remorse in her merciless bloodbath.
She’s Miss Lizzy, she feels no pain
The axe came down
She’s Miss Lizzy, she strikes again,
The axe came down… Blood all around
Lizzy Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks,
When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.
Now before the jury with a solemn face,
These legendary murders… she left not a trace.
Lizzy found it so simple to take their lives,
Today she walks free… Axe by her side…
She took an axe.
The Dubious Brothers are a very popular UK band, playing gigs for charity in a style which can only be called ecclectic. To sample a taste of their Lizzie tribute, “O, Mother Borden,” click on this link and scroll down to the song. Click the arrow for a few moments of the song, or download the entire selection. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thedubiousbrothers
2 Comments
Robert Wilhelm
In her book _American Murder Ballads_ Olive Woolley Burt asserts that the Borden case did not inspire any traditional ballads. Unfortunately, I have found that to be true — all of the Lizzie Borden songs are modern. But here is a poem that Ms. Burt includes in her book, written by A. L. Bixby, one of the reporters at the trial.
There’s no evidence of guilt,
Lizzie Borden,
That should make your spirit wilt,
Lizzie Borden.
Many do not think that you
Chopped your father’s head in two,
It’s so hard a thing to do,
Lizzie Borden.
You have borne up under all,
Lizzie Borden,
With a mighty show of gall,
Lizzie Borden.
But because your nerve is stout
Does not prove beyond a doubt
That you knocked the old folks out,
Lizzie Borden.
administrator
Yes! I love that one and it has been on the righthand side of the blog for a long time if you scroll down. Maybe I should move it up higher as many don’t scroll down to see older posts and widgets. We are due for some NEW Lizzie songs!