1. The Banks of the Dee - words a bit dated being that its from the 1770s but the Langolee melody is as lovely as ever. Us "rebels" made a nasty parody of this but the original is very heartfelt yet with the expectation of return that is missing in the many other simlar themes such as much of the "Johnny has gone for a Soldier"/"Shule Aroon" (sp?) family

2.   When You and I were Young Maggie - Although Maggie may have died after only a brief marriage the words relate to a much longer relationship

Couldnt think of any traditonal US tunes in these categories, though I know there are some -   Stephen Foster's "Old Dog Tray"? (probably not)