“Tom Dula” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The song “Tom Dula” is based on the historical murder of a 19th century lady by the name of Laura Foster. And it was ultimately Tom Dooley (aka Tom Dula, 1845-1868) who was convicted of her murder. That is something which the chorus symbolically introduces from the jump, that Dula is “bound to die”. And verily, as the lyrics don’t detail, he was hanged at the age of 22 in light of the aforementioned conviction.
Overall the song is not really detailed in terms of what transpired. Rather it is a summary, specifically from the perspective of someone who obviously believed Tom Dula was guilty. And at this point, it should be noted that the story of Dula has become more akin to folklore than an actual retelling of historical events. And that’s because, even into the 21st century, many people are convinced that he was hanged for a crime he didn’t commit.
Laura Foster
The situation which reportedly brought about the murder of Laura Foster was she being caught up in a love triangle with Dula and another lady, who was actually her cousin, named Anne Foster.
And many people believe it was Anne who murdered Laura, whom Tom favored (logically for reasons including Anne being married to another man at the time). Then as theorized Dula, who still loved Anne nonetheless, took the rap for her in order to save her life. But if in fact he did actually do it, then the first verse depicts him taking Laura Foster up to a mountain to commit the act via stabbing.
Tom Dula Flees
The second verse is based on consensus fact however, whereas Dula fled from to Tennessee (from North Carolina) after being accused of Foster’s murder. With a background in the army, he proceeded to associate himself with one Colonel James Grayson.
And as the lyrics hint, it was this Grayson who helped get Dula captured once he found out that Tom was a wanted man.
Tom Dula is Executed
The third verse then centers on Dula’s execution, as he did die by hanging. And reportedly this song was penned shortly after all of this went down, thus making it a folk piece.
And all lyrics, including repetitions, considered, it would once again appear that the person who wrote it clearly advocated Tom Dula being hanged, i.e. thought him guilty of killing Laura Foster, and his execution being justice served.
“Tom Dula” Facts
Artist(s): Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Writing: It is a traditional song
Production: Neil Young worked with John Hanlon and Mark Humphreys to produce this track
Release: June 5 of 2012
Album/EP: “Americana”
Genre(s)
“Tom Dula” is a folk song.
Was “Tom Dula” a single release?
No.
The “Americana” Album
The traditional American folk song, Tom Dula, is the fourth song on Neil Young’s 2012 album, Americana. The album was the Canadian-American 31st studio album, and it was released on June 5, 2012, through Reprise Records. It was Young’s second collaborative album with American backing rock band Crazy Horse.
The album comprises of hard rock, country rock, folk-rock, and Americana music genres. Neil Young and producers John Halon and Mike Humphreys produced all the eleven songs on the album.
The album received a strongly polarized reception from music critics when it was released. On Metacritic, it scored a total of 68 out of 100 ratings from 31 reviews. The Guardian and the Observer rated it a three-star and a five-star album, respectively.
In his year-end music ranking for The Barnes & Noble Review, Renowned American Journalist Robert Thomas Christgau named the album the greatest album of 2012. He again listed it among his top 25 albums of the 2010s decade.
Americana reached number 182 on the Billboard 200 chart, peaked at 52 on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart, and was number 42 on the Canadian Albums chart.
Tom Dula’s Trial and Execution
Born in June 1945 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, Tom Dula “Dooley” and his family lived in a neighborhood and were acquainted with two other families, the Fosters and the Meltons.
Tom was known to have very little sense of responsibility or moral values. By age 12, he was already sexually involved with one of the Foster girls, Anne Foster who was 14.
In March 1862, Tom enlisted in the Confederate Army and was captured in battle. He was imprisoned and later released in April 1865. When he returned home, his longtime girlfriend Anne was married to his neighbor James Melton.
Despite Anne’s unavailability, Tom and Anne resumed their relationship. At this time, Tom was also sexually involved with Anne’s cousin Laura. She was suspected to have been pregnant with Tom Dula’s child.
One morning Laura quietly left her home and was never heard from again. Her decayed body was later found in a grave with a knife wound to her chest in May 1866. Many were suspected including Anne Foster and Tom Dula.
Tom Dula was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to death at a trial in Statesville. Folklore has it that Dula may have taken the blame for what may have been Anne’s crime. His execution took place on May 1, 1868. Till the final moments of his death, Tom Dula is said to have claimed he was innocent of Laura’s murder.
