I never picked up on the protagonist in "St. James Infirmary" singing about The Clap , tho' it was'nt uncommon , then. I saw Charlie Louvin , twice , the first time , I almost had to beg him to do "Knoxville Girl" , and NO ONE had my back. Lame - o's . HE DID IT , THO' (HE ALMOST did "On Top of Old Smokey " , instead.). The second time ,he explained that "Knoxville Girl" was based on a centuries - old Murder Ballad from England.