Duncan and Brady

Dave Van Ronk

About Duncan and Brady

"Duncan and Brady", also known as "Been on the Job Too Long", "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", or simply "Brady", is a traditional murder ballad about the shooting of a policeman, Brady, by a bartender, Duncan. The song's lyrics stemmed from actual events, involving the shooting of James Brady in the Charles Starkes Saloon in St. Louis, Missouri. Harry Duncan was convicted of the murder, and later executed. Originally recorded by Wilmer Watts & his Lonely Eagles in 1929, it has been recorded numerous times, most famously by Lead Belly, also by Judy Henske, Dave Van Ronk, The Johnson Mountain Boys, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Bob Dylan.  


Year:
2011
3:02
536 
#5

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Well, it's twinkle, twinkle little star
Along came Brady in his 'lectric car
Got a mean look right in his eye
Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die
Well, he been on the job too long

Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar
Along comes Brady with his shiny star
Brady says, Duncan, you are under arrest
And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest
Yes, he been on the job too long

Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long

Well, old King Brady was a big fat man
Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand
He felt for his pulse, doctor said
"I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead"
Yes, he been on the job too long

High tailed carriages standing around
Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground
High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack
Well, they took him to the graveyard
But they didn't bring him back
Yes, he been on the job too long

Well, women all heard King Brady was dead
They go back home and re-rag in red
Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street
In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet
He been on the job too long

Well, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long

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Dave Van Ronk

Dave Van Ronk (June 30, 1936 – February 10, 2002) was an American folk singer, born in Brooklyn, New York, who settled in Greenwich Village, New York, and was eventually nicknamed the "Mayor of MacDougal Street" . more »

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Written by: TOM RUSH

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Duncan and Brady" was performed by both legendary American singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk. Bob Dylan is one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture, while Dave Van Ronk was an integral part of the 1960s folk music revival in Greenwich Village, New York.
Song Origin
The song is a traditional American folk song, the origins of which are traced back to the murder of a policeman, James Brady, by a bartender, Harry Duncan, in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1890.
Adaptation
Both Dylan and Van Ronk have their own unique takes on the song, with Dylan's version being more raw and Van Ronk's rendition infused with bluesier elements. They both adapted the traditional song in their individual signature styles.
Dylan's Version
Bob Dylan learnt the song from Dave Van Ronk, and it was one of the early tunes that he played in his coffeehouse performances in the early 1960s. It exemplifies his mastery of storytelling through songs.
Van Ronk's Influence
Dave Van Ronk was one of Bob Dylan's early influences. Dylan was known to have borrowed a number of Van Ronk's arrangements, including that of "Duncan and Brady".
Live Performance
"Duncan and Brady" was performed by Dylan more than 100 times during his “Never-Ending Tour” between 1999 and 2000. However, it isn't one of his well-known popular numbers.
Unreleased
Despite its regular appearance in Dylan's live performances, his version of "Duncan and Brady" was never officially released on any of his studio albums.
Van Ronk's Version
Van Ronk's version of "Duncan and Brady" appeared on his 1971 album "Van Ronk". His rendition of the classic folk song was bolder and more vigorous compared to Dylan's more subdued acoustic interpretation.
Cultural Impact
"Duncan and Brady" has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, showcasing its enduring appeal. It's a song that tells a real story, reflecting the era of lawmen and outlaws in America's history.
Storytelling
Both Dylan and Van Ronk, through their renditions of "Duncan and Brady", epitomize the tradition of using songs as a medium of storytelling. This song narrates a dramatic event from history, thus adding a layer of richness and depth to their music repertoire.

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