By the way, GUEST,Ktesibios:    "Why can't we, just once, have a traditional ballad in which the primary character has a little bit of sense? Where the girl, at the insistence of her parents, marries the lord, slips a little something into his whiskey and..."

Actually, there are some, but no need for mayhem. One that springs to mind is "Jock o'Hazeldean." Pressured into marrying into a wealthy family when she's in love with another man, on the morning of the wedding, the young lady takes her fate into her own hands, leaving those who have "expectations" of her, standing around with their mouths open.

Way to go, gal!!

Here's Ronnie Browne of The Corries singing it.   CLICKY.

Don Firth