Recorded New York: August 17, 1931
Edward L. Crain, vocal and guitar
Originally released on Columbia 10710D

Texan Edward Crain (1901-?) was a cowboy who spent time on ranches and cattle drives. He played guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. He also worked as a performer for various radio stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Crain recorded this song twice in 1931 -- once for Columbia and once for the American Record Corporation. As of 1970, he was living in Oregon.

The song "Bandit Cole Younger" was based on the real life of Thomas Coleman Younger (1844-1916) from Missouri. He was in an outlaw gang along with his brothers and the James boys. His final days were spent along with Frank James in a Wild West show (John Lomax, Cowboy Songs, pg. 177). This ballad was probably written as a broadside in the late 1870s (Norm Cohen, Long Steel Rail, pg. 119).
 

FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS OF CRAIN:
see the collections, Palomino Country Jamboree (Palomino 315a); and The Plains of Alberta (HIS 8007a).

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE SONG, YOUNGER, AND CRAIN: see Norm Cohen, Long Steel Rail, Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Press, 1981).

OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS INCLUDE:
Traditional American Folk: Glenn Ohrlin (PH 1017a).

Folksong revival: Paul Clayton (RVR 12-640a); Mary McCaslin (PH 1024c); The Southern Eagle String Band (BF 15010a); Roger Welsch (FW 5337c).

Country/String Band: Dock Boggs (FW 2392c); Michael Martin Murphey (WB 45423c); Marc Williams (BR 544b).