This bluegrass flavored tune tells the story of the murder of John Love by the Thayer brothers and the brothers' trial and hanging in Buffalo, New York
John Robert Whitney is a singer/songwriter and professional conservationist from Western New York State (East Aurora/Buffalo).
Singer/Songwriter; multi-instrumentalist; folk, country, pop, blues, jazz, Gospel; professional conservationist
Story behind the song
The "Site of the John Love Murder" historical marker in the Town of Boston, New York at the base of Mayer Road inspired this tune. The marker reads: Site of the John Love Murder
December 15, 1824
The Thayer Bros., Isaac, Israel and Nelson, unable to repay the debt they owed to great lakes seaman, John Love, murdered him in Israel’s home. They were tried and hanged at Buffalo, June 7, 1825. A great crowd witnessed this, the only public hanging in Erie County.
Lyrics
Refrain
John Love sailed the inland seas, Ontario and Erie.
He sailed the lakes when skies were clear. He sailed when skies were dreary.
But John Love sailed the lakes no more, the Thayer Boys saw to it.
For they took his life that December day: oh, the Devil made ‘em do it.
(For they took his life that December day; oh, the Devil made ‘em do it.)
Verses
John Love hauled flour, wool and wood from Buffalo to Cleveland
And multiplied his wages loaning cash for homes and farmland.
But the Thayer Boys were desperate; they could not repay his loan.
And they murdered seaman, John Love, in Israel Thayer’s home.
(And they murdered seaman, John Love, in Israel Thayer’s home.)
On the fifteenth of December in eighteen and twenty-four
Love called upon the Thayer Boys to even up the score
But instead of paying back their debt they piled their debt up higher
By the murder of seaman, John Love, by Israel’s kitchen fire.
(By the murder of seaman, John Love, by Israel’s kitchen fire.)
The Thayer Boys were tried and hanged for seaman, John Love’s murder.
The debt the couldn’t pay in life they paid hanging from the girder
The crowd was gathered ‘round to see them pay the Devil’s bounty -
The only public hanging ever seen in Erie County.
(The only public hanging ever seen in Erie County.)
The Thayer Boys they all were hung from Buffalo’s gallow tree.
The three were hung together so that everyone could see.
For murdering John Love, they paid their debt to God and man
Four lives cut short by old devil-debt, in accord with the Devil’s plan.
(Four lives cut short by old devil-debt, in accord with the Devil’s plan.)
