Folkestone Murder, The

The Folkestone Murder

Roud 897

The song tells of an actual murder, of sisters Caroline (19) and Maria Back (17), by Dedia Bedanies, a private in the British Swiss Legion based at Shorncliffe Barracks near Folkestone. Bedanies tried for murder and hanged at Maidstone gaol, January 1857.

Sung by both George Spicer and his son Ron. George learned this from his father-in-law, Sydney Appleton, of Lydden, Kent.

Charlie Bridger from Stone-in-Oxney also had a full version, with very similar tune and words. Truncated versions have been recorded from a number of Southern English Traveller singers, for example Charlie Scamp.

Version from Danny Brazil

Recorded by Gwilym Davies, Staverton, Glos, 30.9.77
on MTCD345-7 The Brazil Family: Down by the Old Riverside‎

1. Come all you feeling people and listen to my song,
   I'll tell you of a murder and it won't contain you long;
   It was near a place called Folescombe, his murder it was done,
   Maria and sweet Caroline was murdered by Thistlin John.
   
   
2. The murderer came to her house at eight o'clock at night,
   But little did poor innocent think that he owed her any spite;
   "Will you take a walk dearest Caroline," this murderer he did say,
   Then fell aquaint with him to Shoreham cliff next day.
   
   
3. The mother to the daughter, "You had better stay at home,
   I do not think it is safe for you to go with that man alone;
   You had better have your sister to walk along with you,
   Then I'll have no rejections, dear daughter you may go."
   
   
4. Early the next morning, just at the break of day,
   Maria and sweet Caroline from Dover they did stray;
   Before they reached near Folescombe, this villain he drew his knife,
   Maria and sweet Caroline, he took away their lives.
   
   
5. Down on the ground her bleeding found, all in the bloom of the year,
   "Mercy!" cried the poor innocent child with her eyes all filled with tears;
   He drew the dagger into her breast, her lovely breast so deep,
   He robbed them of their sweet lives and left them there to sleep.
   
   
6. When the news it did reach home they cried, "What shall I do,
   Poor Maria's murdered and lovely Caroline too."
   And if you go unto the spot, there's letters you will find
   Cut deeply into the turf, Maria and Caroline.
   
   
7. The murderer he was taken, his own life for to try,
   And he was sent to Maidstone jail and there condemned to die;
   Come all you young men take a warning, be aware of the fate of mine,
   And think of Maria and lovely Caroline.