Bert Lloyd once said that 'Goodnight Ballads', 'true confessions' written by hack writers and sold at public hangings; ('Ben Hall', Sheffield Apprentice, Captain Kidd, Newlyn Town - et al) were so-called because of the practice of the 'audience' of shouting "good-night" as the rope tightened around the client's neck. He mentioned Defoe as his source. Does anybody have any information on this; a reference would be appreciated.
Jim Carroll