Birth of a Ballad: The Capture of Tom Dooley

Artist: Cristy Dunn
Installation: 2015

Location: 101 Old South Church St, Mountain City, TN 37683. At the intersection of Main and Church. On the North East side of side facing Main.

This mural depicts an anachronistic G.B. Grayson with his fiddle looking on as Tom Dula is captured by Colonel James Grayson. Tom Dula was accused of murdering Laura Foster, after capture he was convicted and executed for the murder. As with many Appalachian tales the story is much more complex than the folk song would make it first appear. “Dooley” is a phonetic pronunciation of “Dula”.

The song was first recorded by Col Grayson’s nephew, G.B. Grayson, in 1929. It is one of the most recognizable Appalachian folk ballads, and has been covered by multiple individuals since then.