“The Red Light Saloon”
Description
The singer goes to (Bangor) on (July 4). (The train) being late, he is "forced" to visit the Red Light Saloon. Quickly recognized as a (logger/cowboy), liquor and women give him their attention. His "ellick" grows hard; he goe off with a five dollar girl
Notes
In Logsdon's text, the singer ends up having sex with a five dollar whore. These days, that sounds cheap -- but Logsdon points out that that was a lot at the time apparently indicated in the song.
Doerflinger's and Logsdon's tets are so different that I thought about splitting the songs. But Doerflinger has only three verses; I suspect it has been shortened, either by Doerflinger or his informant. So I'm lumping them. - RBW
References
- Doerflinger, pp. 249-250, "The Red Light Saloon" (1 short text, 1 tune)
- Logsdon 11, pp. 74-76, "The Red Light Saloon" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, REDLIGHT* REDLITE2*
- Roud #9424
- BI, Doe249