The Chad Mitchell Trio, an American vocal group prominent in the 1960s, carved a niche for themselves performing traditional folk songs and early compositions by John Denver. Formed in 1958 by William Chadbourne "Chad" Mitchell, Mike Kobluk, and Mike Pugh at Gonzaga University, they were guided by musical arranger Milton Okun and performer Harry Belafonte. Okun's professional polish helped them secure bookings and appearances, while their daring satire of the John Birch Society established their ability to perform controversial material.
One particularly exciting area of folk music for the trio was the hatchet murders in Massachusetts. This interest culminated in their rendition of "Lizzie Borden," a song that blends dark humor with the grim reality of a historical crime. The song, featured on their 1961 album "A Mighty Day on Campus," became one of their biggest hits, peaking at #43 in 1962.
The Chad Mitchell Trio at the University of Michigan, c. 1963
The Lizzie Borden Murders
Yesterday in old Fall River, Mr. Andrew Borden died and he got his daughter Lizzie on a charge of homicide. The murders of Abby and Andrew Borden remain unsolved to this day. The only person ever charged in them was the younger of Andrew Borden’s two adult daughters, Lizzie. Abby was Lizzie’s stepmother. Andrew was a successful businessman in Fall River, with a well-earned reputation for miserliness.
The three essential facts about the Lizzie Borden Case are:
- That it is almost impossible to see how Lizzie could have committed the crime.
- That it is very, very difficult to understand how anyone else could have committed the crime.
- That Lizzie made a number of statements about the case that were self-contradictory and in conflict with the testimony of other persons.
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The decisive factor in taking the case to trial was that she was seen burning a dress several days after the incident.
The Song's Origins and Humor
The song itself was originally written by Michael Brown for the Broadway revue, "New Faces of 1952," as part of a longer piece called "Fall River Hoedown." The Chad Mitchell Trio's version is noted for its comic timing and delivery, presenting the song as an interruption in their otherwise straightforward repertoire.
The lyrics themselves are a darkly humorous take on the gruesome events:
Elizabeth Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks
And when the job was nicely done
She gave her father forty one
The humor arises from the contrast between the gruesome reality of the murders and the assumptions of New England propriety. This juxtaposition, combined with clever wordplay, sets the stage for the song's comedic effect.
The Trio's Legacy
The Chad Mitchell Trio's departure from Belafonte Enterprises in 1962, followed by their move to Mercury Records in 1963, gave them more freedom to add aggressively political songs to their body of folk, love, and world-music songs. While the Mitchell Trio became best known for such songs, they also produced a solid body of work which showed that folk music could be "polished" yet remain close to its roots.
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Mitchell left the trio in 1965 to embark on a solo singing career. Frazier's departure from the trio in 1966 brought in replacement David Boise. The Mitchell/Kobluk/Frazier trio and John Denver united in 1987 for several concerts, some broadcast on PBS. The Mitchell/Kobluk/Frazier trio reunited again in 2005 for a short program, as part of a concert also featuring Tom Paxton and The Kingston Trio's current lineup, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mitchell/Kobluk/Frazier reunited again for a one-night performance on October 6, 2007, in Spokane, home of their alma mater, and where Mitchell and Kobluk live about two blocks apart.
The Chad Mitchell Trio's version of "Lizzie Borden" remains a notable example of how folk music can explore dark and disturbing themes with a touch of humor, leaving a lasting impact on the genre.
I Was Not A Nazi Polka
Chart performance
Here are the chart positions of some of The Chad Mitchell Trio Albums:
| Album | Year | US Charts |
|---|---|---|
| Mighty Day on Campus | 1961 | No. 114 |
| At the Bitter End | 1962 | No. 124 |
| In Action | 1962 | No. 107 |
| The Best Of | 1963 | No. 144 |
| Singin' Our Mind | 1963 | No. 127 |
| Reflecting | 1964 | No. 145 |
| Slightly Irreverent | 1964 | No. 146 |
| Typical American Boys | 1965 | No. 199 |
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