Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Death of Emma Hartsell 
Death of Emma Hartsell 
In eighteen hundred and ninety-eight Sweet Emma met with an awful fate. 'Twas on the holy Sabbath day When her sweet life was snatched away. 
It set my brain all in a whirl To think of that poor little girl Who rose that morning fair and bright, And before five was a mangled sight. 
It caused many a heart to bleed To think and hear of such (a) deed. Her friends, they shed many a tear. Her throat was cut frorn ear to ear. 
Just as the wind did cease to blow They caught the men, 'twas Tom and Joe. The sheriff drove in such a dash Tl@e howling mob could scarcely pass. 
They got to town by half past seven; Their necks were broken before eleven. The people there were a sight to see. They hung them to a dogwvood tree. 
Fathers and mothers, a warning take Never leave your children for God's sake, But take them with you wherever you go And always think of Tom and Joe. 
Kind friends, we all must bear in mind They caught the men who did the crime. There's not a doubt around the lurk Tom said he held her while Joe did the work 
Sweet Emma has gone to a world of love Where Tom and Joe dare not to go We think they've gone to hell below For treating poor little Emma so. 
Dear friends, we all remember this, 
That Ella will be sadly missed. And one thing more (that) I do know:-This world is rid of Tom and Joe. 
As they stood on death'ss cold brink, Joe Kizzer begged the man for drink "No drink, no drink!" the man replied "To Hell, to Hell your soul must fly. " 
And one thing more my song does lack: I forgot to say the men were black; Her friends and neighbors will say the same And Emma Hartsell was her name. 
note: The crime happened in 1898. The first news of the murder was told to one Frank Pharr by a young negro named Joe Kiser. Mr. Pharr was suspicious and detained him. Shortly after, a second negro, Tom Johnson, was also arrested. Both were lynched; both died protesting innocence. RG 
From North Carolina Folklore, Brown DT #728 Laws F34 oct96