Thanks, sIx, for mentioning the great Leonard Cohen verse. It throws around shadows that the melody can certainly bear.

And a seldom sung second verse by the original writers Pee Wee Reese and Redd Steward is also worth a mention:

I wonder how a dance like the Tennessee Waltz
Could have broken my heart so complete
I couldn't blame my darling
For who could help falling
In love with my darling so sweet

It must be the fault of the Tennessee Waltz
Wish I'd known just how much it would cost
I didn't see it coming
It's all over but the crying
Blame it all on the Tennessee Waltz

Personally, I've always thought that the "friend" got off easy.