The Lonely Willow Tree in the Digital Tradition appears to be a version of Child Ballad #4, "Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight," but I can't find much credible information about this particular version. I found a very similar version at contemplator.com, taken from the Colonial and Revolution Songbook, by Southern California singers Keith & Rusty McNeil. The Contemplator refers to John Renfro Davis - that's a guy who sequences MIDIs.
Here's that version:

The Willow Tree

There was a youth, a cruel youth,
Who lived beside the sea,
Six little maidens he drowned there
By the lonely willow tree.

As he walked o'er with Sally Brown,
As he walked o'er with she,
And evil thought came to him there,
By the lonely willow tree.

O turn you back to the water's side,
And face the willow tree,
Six little maidens I've drowned here,
And you the seventh shall be.

Take off, take off, your golden crown,
Take off your gown, cried he.
For though I am going to murder you
I would not spoil your finery.

Oh, turn around, you false young man,
Oh turn around, cried she,
For 'tis not meet that such a youth
A naked woman should you see.

He turned around, that false young man,
And faced the the willow tree,
And seizing him boldly in both her arms,
She threw him into the sea.

Lie there, lie there, you false young man,
Lie there, lie there, cried she,
Six little maidens you've drowned here,
Now keep them company!

He sank beneath the icy waves,
He sank down into the sea,
And no living thing wept a tear for him,
Save the lonely willow tree.



It's a very nice song, but it sounds modern to me. Any idea where this and the DT version come from?
-Joe Offer-