Mudcat Café message #3687929

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Thread #156361 Message #3687929
Posted By: Richie
22-Dec-14 - 07:18 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Fair Margaret & Sweet Willliam- Child 74
Subject: RE: Origins: Fair Margaret & Sweet Willliam- Child 74

Here's what one ballad singer believes about William's death. From Southern Appalachian Storytellers; Page 195- Betty Smith interview:

In "Little Margaret" it says he kissed her lily white hand, her cheek, and then he kissed her clay, cold lips. If you kiss a dead person, you die; and he falls in her arms asleep. It means he died when he actually kissed her.

Richie