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Better story teller than Edmund Fitzgerald?

There was a thread on A'gon about the most perfect song.  We had reasons for picking various, but for me it was Gordong Lightfoot's Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Perhaps it featured an aspect of song writing that no one else much cared for:  A deep and detailed story in the song.

So I ask you, A'goners, what songs are as good or better at telling a story of a historical event? 

erik_squires

Showing 2 responses by terry9

terry9
2,244 posts
 

Kingston Trio, remember them? Several polished, musical, and meaningful songs to compete with any.

'Ballad of Old John Webb' - an accused counterfeiter, famed for his 10 pound notes, escapes. "Billy (the 10 pound notes, get it?) broke locks and Billy broke bolts and Billy broke all that he came nigh." Historically, it seems he was released for lack of evidence, but escape from the authorities is more fun. One of their best, and yet remains obscure; album 'String Along'.

'Merry minuet' - an anti cold-war song listing the unintended consequences,  "dedicated to John Foster Dulles," cold-warrior extraordinaire. Best version on 'From the Hungry i.' 

terry9
2,244 posts
 

"Four Rode By", a ballad of rampage by "three McLean boys and that wild Alex Haire," Ian & Sylvia.

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