“Bad Lee Brown (Little Sadie)”

Description

The singer goes out one night to "make his rounds." He meets his (girlfriend/wife), Little Sadie, and shoots her. He flees, but is overtaken and sentenced to (a long prison term/life)

Recordings

• Clarence Ashley, "Little Sadie" (Columbia 15522-D, 1930; rec. 1929; on RoughWays1)
• Blue Heaven, "Bad Man Ballad" (AAFS 384 B)
• Mrs. Lloyd Bare Eagle, "Little Sadie" (AAFS 2851 B1)
• Louise Foreacre, "Little Sadie" (on Stonemans01)
• Wendell Hart & group of convicts, "Bad Man Ballad" (AAFS 2591 B2)
• Willie Rayford, "Bad Man Ballad" (AAFS 2591 B2)
• Wade Ward, "Little Sadie" [instrumental] (on Holcomb-Ward1)
• Clarence Ashley & Doc Watson, "Little Sadie" (on Ashley03, WatsonAshley01)
• Unidentified Negro convict, "Bad Man Ballad" (AAFS 1859 A1-10)

References

1. Laws I8, "Bad Lee Brown"
2. Randolph 155, "Bad Lee Brown" (2 fragments, 1 tune)
3. Cambiaire, p. 22, "Little Sadie" (1 text)
4. MWheeler, pp. 109-111, "Late One Night" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. BrownII 252, "Sadie" (1 text)
6. MHenry-Appalachians, pp. 39-40, "Little Sadie" (1 text)
7. Scarborough-NegroFS, p. 243, (no title) (1 fragment)
8. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 89-91, "Bad Man Ballad" (1 text, 1 tune)
9. DT 659, LILSADIE*
10. Roud #780
11. BI, LI08