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Cadogan 129

from Gallows Tree Tales by Slim

/
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    with a full-colour 8 page lyric booklet, and some stunning photography in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, from Sam Moore

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about

...taken from Slim's long-player 'Gallows Tree Tales', this is a true story about the first murder on our railways back in 1864. With Andy Adams on the drums, and Dan Clark on the hammond, piano, and a few tasty electric licks too; it's a cheery old tale - the poor unfortunate in question met his match just outside Hackney Wick, and they dragged his sorry remains to a pub on Victoria Park to meet his maker. The pub's still there now - called 'Top Of The Morning', so you can go and pay your respects over an ale or three if you fancy. Frank Centurion gets the heads-up for this tune as he lives on the same street (Cadogan Terrace), and turned me on to the idea of putting the story to verse.

lyrics

Good people all attend to me I pray, both young and old
The most dreadful tragedy to you will I hereby unfold
Of a murder staged aboard a train in 1864
For want of the price of gold in a jewellery store

Now Thomas Briggs, a corporation clerk, his journey homeward bound
From Fenchurch Street to Hackney Wick habitually was found
Franz Muller a German tailor, on his brow the mark of Cain
For a chain of Albert Curb, Briggs he was slain

He kept coming like a freight train
And with his A-game
He stole the very last ticket from the man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

With a black top hat and a gold chain
Abel couldn’t beat Cain
It was the very first murder of a man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

The engine driver and the stoker found Briggs dying on the line
So they laid him down in the tavern on Cadogan Terrace 129
Now the German pawned his plunder, he set sail for Americay
For this chain of evidence would Muller pay

Inspector Tanner did a steamer board, with his sergeant New York-bound
Tracing Muller’s bloody tracks with extradition’s hungry hounds
They dragged him back to London Town, and the jury did decree
For to raise him high on Newgate gallows tree

He kept coming like a freight train
And with his A-game
He stole the very last ticket from the man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

With a black top hat and a gold chain
Abel couldn’t beat Cain
It was the very first murder of a man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

“All you that in this condemned wretched hole do lie
Prepare you for tomorrow, for tomorrow you will die
Watch all and pray beseech I thee, the hour is drawing near
That you before the hand of the Almighty must appear
Examine well yourselves and in good time you will repent
That you may not into eternal burning flames be sent
And when St Sepulchre’s chiming bell tomorrow tolls
May the Lord have mercy on your soul”

He kept coming like a freight train
And with his A-game
He stole the very last ticket from the man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

With a black top hat and a gold chain
Abel couldn’t beat Cain
It was the very first murder of a man
Who left his soul in Cadogan 129

And may the Lord have mercy on your soul
May the Lord have mercy on your soul
May the Lord have mercy on your soul

credits

from Gallows Tree Tales, released August 8, 2012
Music and lyrics: Slim

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about

Slim London, UK

Slim's new LP is a barn-storming folk-rock romp through tales of love, loss, booze and madness. With big productions, there's everything from americana, celtic folk, country balladeering, and even a gospel choir thrown in for good measure there'll be a full tour to come and of course, a fair few 'Gallows Tree Tales' to tell. Visit www.slim-music.com to keep in touch and join the Facebook page!:o) ... more

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