“Ella Speed (Bill Martin and Ella Speed)”

Description

Ella Speed goes out to "have a li'l fun." Her man, Bill Martin, finds out and shoots her because she has been unfaithful to him. He is sentenced to (hanging/life imprisonment).

Recordings

• Huddie Ledbetter [Lead Belly], "Ella Speed" (AFS 120 B5, 1933)

References

1. Laws I6, "Ella Speed (Bill Martin and Ella Speed)"
2. Sandburg, pp. 28-29, "Alice B." (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 117-118, "Bill Martin and Ella Speed" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. DT 658, ELLASPED*
5. Roud #4175
6. BI, LI06