The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STORY ABOUT CASEY JONES

ONE VERSION OF THE BALLAD OF CASEY JONES (G IN VIKING) INCLUDES A
LINE WHERE MRS. CASEY SAYS, "SHE LOVED MR. KASSIE (CASEY) 'CAUSE
SHE TOLD ME SO." THIS PARTICULAR VERSION WAS WRITTEN WHEN THE
REAL MRS. CASEY DECIDED TO SUE THE OTHER BALLADEERS WHO HAD HER
SINGING, "CHILLUN, CHILLUN, KEEP FROM CRYIN', YOU GOT ANOTHER PAPA
ON THE NORTHERN LINE" JUST TO PROVE THAT MR. AND MRS. CASEY REALLY
DID LOVE EACH OTHER. OF COURSE WHEN THE SUIT WAS FILED AND MRS.
CASEY WON, THERE WAS ONE MRS. CASEY WHO CAME TO COLLECT, AND THEN
A SECOND MRS. CASEY, AND EVEN A THIRD AND FOURTH . . . WHICH MIGHT
PROVE SOMETHING ABOUT MR. CASEY.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM TOM RUSH, A FOLK SINGER, IN CONCERT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT