The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll

The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll - Judy Collins

William Zantzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll

With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger

At a Baltimore hotel society gathering

And the cops were called in

And his weapon took from him

As they rode him in custody down to the station

And booked William Zantzinger for first degree murder

But you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

William Zantzinger who at twenty four years

Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres

With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him

And high office relations in the politics of Maryland

Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders

And swear words and sneering

And his tongue it was snarling

In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking

But you who philosophize disgrace

And criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen

She was fifty one years old

And gave birth to ten children

Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage

And never sat once at the head of the table

And didn't even talk to the people at the table

Who just cleaned up all the food from the table

And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level

Got killed by a blow lay slain by a cane

That sailed through the air and came down through the room

Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle

And she never done nothing to William Zantzinger

But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

In the courtroom of honor

The judge pounded his gavel

To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level

And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded

And that even the nobles get properly handled

Once that the cops have chased after and caught them

And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom

Stared at the person who killed for no reason

Who just happened to be feeling that way without warnin

And he spoke through his cloak

Most deep and distinguished

And handed out strongly

For penalty and repentance

William Zantzinger with a six month sentence

Oh but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Bury the rag deep in your face

For now's the time for your tears