and from the department of non-Oxford links
eMusic has an article up called The 13 Grisliest Murder Ballads of All Time.
Now, this includes both traditional songs and not (Eminem's "Stan" is on there), But seriously, any list of the grisliest murder ballads that includes legitimate folk songs but not Long Lankin or Child Owlet -- possibly the most violent of the Child canon -- is not to be taken seriously. And as for songs with known authors -- while the violence in it is relatively understated, Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown" is one of the most horrifying songs I know.
(I mean, seriously, they don't even pick the grisliest song on the album "Murder Ballads"!)
So, flist folkies. Since it is almost Halloween and this sort of thing is appropriate: what would go on your "Grisliest (or just downright creepiest) Murder Ballads" list?
Now, this includes both traditional songs and not (Eminem's "Stan" is on there), But seriously, any list of the grisliest murder ballads that includes legitimate folk songs but not Long Lankin or Child Owlet -- possibly the most violent of the Child canon -- is not to be taken seriously. And as for songs with known authors -- while the violence in it is relatively understated, Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown" is one of the most horrifying songs I know.
(I mean, seriously, they don't even pick the grisliest song on the album "Murder Ballads"!)
So, flist folkies. Since it is almost Halloween and this sort of thing is appropriate: what would go on your "Grisliest (or just downright creepiest) Murder Ballads" list?