Ballad of the brutal murder of Goldie Gibson Ritchie in 1951, Huntington, Wv
Just outside Gimlet Hollow, was kids, we were afraid to go thru the culvert where the crime was committed. My cousin Cecil was arrested and convicted. My Dad was with Goldi
Singer/Songwriter
Butch...Singer/Songwriter
Story behind the song
A very personal experience. My Dad and his brother were arrested and released, my Cousin, Cecil cofessed and was sentenced to life in prison. He said he killed her because she was goading him, saying his girlfriend was cheating on him. Such a brutal murder, I left much to the imagination.
Lyrics
Stood on the banks of the Ohio
Just above the 6th Street Bridge
Outside the gates of the floodwall
He can't remember what he did
They drank so much wine that night
Was he dreaming or awake
From 14th Street to Music Mountain
Let's say a prayer for Goldies' sake
Cho
Loose lips and jealous human behavior
killed the messenger but not the betrayer
Another woman, wrong place, wrong time
He took Goldies life...what a senseless crime
Since '51 kids take the long way round
from 4 Pole Creek and the culvert stream
Stange sounds of a tortured soul
Theys say they often hear Goldie scream
Cho
(I later added the words to the 2nd part of the 2nd chorus)
He said, what she said, was a vicious lie
His girl never cheated...Goldie had to die
WOW!!! Now that's a story! The music plays out the drama well. As a child I bet that was really something to have gone through. Great job Rosie