The Ballad of Governor Goebel

“That’s a sorryful tale and as sorryful a tune as ever was.”

In the decades following the assassination of Governor Goebel, the tale of his life and death was passed around by word of mouth… and, occasionally, with fiddle accompaniment.

In this finale episode for season 5 of Kentucky Deceased, Dr. Eleanor Hasken-Wagner presents a 1937 recording of a ballad memorializing Governor Goebel’s assassination, followed by a conversation with musician and educator Brett Ratliff about Kentucky’s ballad tradition.

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From the 1939 book Ballad makin’ in the mountains of Kentucky by Jean Thomas:

This doleful tale he sings to the tune of 'Barbary Ellen.' “For,” as he said, “that’s a sorryful tale and as sorrowful a tune as ever was.”

 

Our grand old state is left in shame

Since the death of William Goebel.

We hope you will not scorn his name,

His works were great and noble

 

He labored hard through this campaign

With cautious steps he traveled;

We think he touched the secret springs,

Great questions he unraveled.

 

This famous man with brain and skill

So cruelly he was treated;

Taylor saw his plans had failed

And he was soon defeated.

 

They then determined to take his life,

’Twas carried out to a letter;

The sneaking, bloody work was done

But it left the case no better.

 

He did not lack for medical aid,

He had a skilled physician.

Earnestly he prayed to live

So great was his ambition.

 

He loved his country very much,

He never shrank from duty;

To banish wrong, and right produce

In our grand old state of beauty.

 

The dying man made this request,

Seriously he was thinking;

He bade his friends to all keep cool

Though in death he fast was sinking.

 

His silvery voice is hushed in death,

As the shades of evening gather,

He owned submission to God’s will

And his spirit soared up to the Father.

 

His breath came short and very quick,

Loved ones around him hover;

And await the fast approaching train

That bore his absent brother.

 

But alas! his coming was too late.

This life he had departed;

Three sad ones knelt at his bedside

Bereaved and broken-hearted.

 

Poor Goebel he was cruelly shot

While going on his mission;

His brother left and sister too

To mourn the sad condition.

 

We think it is a burning shame

For it was done for wages.

And will not be erased by time

From off our history’s pages.

 

Rise up, you honest-hearted men!

The present is exciting.

Honesty is sure to win,

The law will do your fighting.

 

Taylor’s strong and daring guard

With loaded guns are waiting

To cover up this bloody crime;

His friends they are debating.

 

Our final court will be on high,

To try such cruel cases.

Our Judge and jury will be there

With true and honest faces.

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FEATURED MUSIC

The Assassination of Governor Goebel performed by J.W. Day, recorded by John A. Lomax, June 28, 1937.

Down in the Willow Garden performed by Peyton Byrns and Violet Updike, September 29, 2025.

Caleb Meyer written by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch and performed by Violet and the Newsroom (Anabel Peterman, Violet Updike, and Clay Wallace), September 29, 2025.

Whitesburg performed by Brett Ratliff on his 2021 album Whitesburg, KY.

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CONTENT WARNING

References to murder, political violence, violence against women, rape, suicide, and capital punishment.