For songs playing havoc with reality, just consider some of the American folk ballads eulogizing some really rotten people: Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Ma Barker, et al.
    I should mention that my trip to Scotland with students was greatly enhanced by having previously met a wonderful retired history teacher from the Inverness area; he accompanied my group the whole time we were there (in fact, did a lot of the driving since he didn't trust me on the "wrong" side of the road).