In the real world there are some happy endings, some miserable ones, some surprises, etc. Quite properly all of those are reflected in folk songs.

One who would agree with Bernard's
> I've always thought the happy endings on most 'broken token' songs were a bit far fetched...!

is Jim Morrison, who has written an excellent alternative ending to Jinnie on the Moor in which she tells the bloke where to go.

Richard