ELLA SPEED

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Song Title
ELLA SPEED
Writers
Ledbetter, Huddie, Lomax Alan, Lomax John A
Publisher
Essex Music Benelux B.V.
% Publisher Controls
100
Territory Controlled
Luxembourg
Themes/Keywords
Gun, Jail, Murder, Nightlife, Prison, Punishment, Violence
Lyrics
All two line verses repeated:
Come on and take heed,
Just remember the poor girl Ella Speed.

Bill Martin he was long and slender,
Better known by bein’ a bartender.

Ella Speed she went downtown havin’ her lovin’ fun,
Long come Bill Martin with a Colt 41.

The deed that Bill Martin done
Was cold-blooded murder with a Colt 41.

They looked all over the heart of that town
Lookin’ for that bully that shot the woman down.

When he was arrested and locked up in jail
Oh, the judge said, “Bill Martin, I’ll never fail.”

‘Cause the deed, Bill Martin, that you done
Your sentence – you know you oughta be hung.

Bill Martin fell down upon his knees
Oh cryin’, “Judge, have mercy on me.”

Bill Martin he began to cryin’
Judge said, “I don’t want to hang you but I give you life time”.

Bill Martin sat down to play cooncan,
Po’ boy couldn’t half play his hand
Thinkin’ ‘bout the woman that he loved
Gone away to some far distant land.

They taken Bill Martin to the freight depot
When the train come on easin’ by.
He waved his hand at the woman that he loved
And he hung down his head and he cried.




The women all heard that Ella Speed was dead,
All went home and re-ragged in red.

Well, on the 26th day of December
Bill Martin said, “I will always remember.”

Additional verses from another recording
Come on and take heed,
Just remember the death of poor Ella Speed.

Ella Speed was down town, she was havin’ her lovin’ fun,
Let me tell you what Bill Martin done.

Recordings

Recording Artist Genre Mood Arrangement Era iTunes
Alexis Korner Blues Dramatic, Sad, Up-tempo Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1950's Buy >
Alexis Korner's Breakdown Group Pop Dramatic, Sad, Up-tempo Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1950's Buy >
Gil Evans Jazz Confident, Mellow, Smooth Instrumental, Jazz Quartet 1950's Buy >
Jim Kweskin Singer/Songwriter Cheerful, Dramatic Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Piano, Vocal 1960's Buy >
Johnny Duncan & His Bluegrass Boys Singer/Songwriter Buy >
Lead Belly Acoustic Blues Dramatic, Nostalgic, Sad, Soulful Acoustic Guitar, Vocal 1930's Buy >
Lead Belly Blues Buy >
Lonnie Donegan Pop Buy >
The City Ramblers Skiffle Group Jazz Buy >

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Please contact the appropriate performing rights organization to verify the information above.