Agreed; murder ballads often were based on historical events (Tom Dooley & Omi Wise just off the top of my head) and nearly always functioned as a warning. As for gore, I don't recall many (any?) that revel in the act itself. Mostly there's the pleading for mercy and remorse afterward.

Interesting side-note: can anyone explain why the explicit incest often found in the British versions often disappears in the American versions? Is it simple puritanism, or is there any other explaination?

Guest with no name:

Ballad = Tells a story; no British national origen necessary

Murder = Someone is unlawfully killed; don't know if there are any "fragging" murder ballads, but that would qualify in my book

Composer = "not trad and rejected" Not sure what you mean by that. See the numerous threads on "what is folk" if you really want to debate this type of issue, but as for a Murder Ballad, I think several of them either have known or purported authors. Billy Gashade, for example.

Guest = "not know out of club" Again, I'm not sure what you're getting at. Its just how the software lets non-members leave comments. Most discussion boards make you join in order to comment, so quit being snarky and either join or quit whinging about it.

Mudcat Member = "authority on everything" Hardly. Of course, bomb throwing behind an anonomous "Guest" sig is easier than making reasoned, polite comments, isn't it?

P.M. = "an unknown secret" OK, now you're just being a prick. This has been answered a couple of times in this very thread, by persons with more patience than me. As if "Private Message" weren't an internet convention that anyone could figure out in about two seconds. Back under the bridge, you!