Ballad of the Braswell Boys

DESCRIPTION: The Braswell Boys have been sentenced to death for murder. They attempt to escape from prison, but are captured. At the scaffold, among prayers and sad relatives, they confess to the crime. They are executed and buried
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1958 (Burt-AmericanMurderBallads)
KEYWORDS: homicide trial execution burial
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
Nov 29, 1875 - Murder of Russell and John Allison of Putnam County, TN. They were allegedly killed by Joe and George "Teek" Braswell (and two others) as the Braswells attempted a robbery
Mar 27, 1878 - Hanging of the Braswells. Joe confessed to his crimes, but Teek maintained his innocence to the end
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
McNeil-SouthernFolkBalladsVol1, pp. 48-52, "The Ballad of the Braswell Boys" (1 text, 1 tune)
Burt-AmericanMurderBallads, pp. 204-206, "(The Braswell Boys)" (1 excerpted text, 1 tune)
Roud #4772
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Life's Railway to Heaven (Life is Like a Mountain Railroad)" (tune)
File: MN1048

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