Q: I'm sure Preston's post of Child (& especially MMario) has no intention of cutting into Heiman and Heiman. Preston's wonderful and generous effort makes no claim to being error-free and omits, tunes, glossary & all notes. But it is a Good Thing to remind people of the Heiman and Heiman. First edition in 40 years. Check Loomis Press. Vol 4 should be out any time now.

GUEST,J C: Agree with you, of coure, about the importance of Roud. But I don't believe he makes any "bawdy" distinction in the versions. So that wouldn't help here.

Well, since no one else has, I had a glimpse at immortalia.com (sadly, having been forced to limit these great trad items down to clips by ASCAP or someone) I find no ref to Matty except in one record's notes. Worth reading, BTW, on the whole subject of bawdy classic song & ballad. Just Something My Uncle Told Me

Tina: Not sure what you mean about bawdy murdered-lover songs. What comes to mind are more "fucking" songs like the Great Wheel or Esquimo Nell or Charlotte the Harlot where the death is accidental or incidental to the story. It's a big area - are you looking for something specific?