A lonesome death revisited

February 26, 2005 6:30 PM

Bob Dylan's classic song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" is a murder ballad protest tune for the annals, but this week a story in the Guardian sheds new light on the real-life subject and the murderer William Zantzinger. via xymphora.
posted by ism (7 comments total)

Vicious drunk reforms himself; is now rural slumlord, and "nice guy."
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:26 PM on February 26, 2005

Great link to the Guradian.
posted by ericost at 11:23 PM on February 26, 2005

That was great. Thank you.

There is another Dyaln song called Who Killed Davey Moore that calls out cruddy death seemingly condoned by society.

And then in Seven Curses Dylan expresses some outrage. What do you think became of Riley's daughter?
posted by chowder at 11:52 PM on February 26, 2005

Really interesting piece. One of my favourite Dylan songs, and I love that type of investigative article.
posted by fire&wings at 11:14 AM on February 27, 2005

I had no idea that he wrote that song the same year that the crime and trial took place. I think that the "...cane that he twirled 'round his diamond-ring finger" made me imagine it all happened sixty years earlier or so. This isn't the first time I've been surprised by a folk song turning out to be about contemporary events rather than historical-- and now I'm wondering about Hollis Brown.
posted by obloquy at 3:24 PM on February 27, 2005

too long
posted by Satapher at 6:24 PM on February 27, 2005

Too long? Then don't read it, and move on.

Interesting post, great article, thanks!
posted by skwm at 8:13 AM on February 28, 2005