>> The talking head is a dramatic ending, which I quite like. I might try using a bit of the Child version which ends with

"He laid his head upon the block
And word spoke never more" <<

I think that's what I would do - but don't let me put you off the talking head if you like it. The whole point of ballads is to sing it the way it means most to you.

>> He laid his head upon the block,
The axe was sharp and strong, <<

Yes, I laughed at that cliffhanger too.
I just found 'Headless Chicken' when I checked versions in Bronson - I've only just realised it's the one Malcolm gave the abc for, above.

Lyric:

The king he wrote a long letter
And sealed it up with gold
And sent it unto Lord Ellenwater
For to read it if he could

The firs three lines Lord Ellenwater read
It made his heart to revive
And the next three lines Lord Ellenwater read
The tears fell from his eyes

He called for his stable groom
To saddle his milk-white steed
That up to London I might go
For I'm sure there was never more need

He put one foot all in his stirrup
Another across his steed
Three drops of blood fell from his nose
As he mounted his milk-white steed

"That token's enough," Lord Ellenwater said
"That I never more shall return"
.    .    .    .    .
.    .    .    .    .

"Here to you, my gay lady
Which is my wedded wife
.    .    .   an estate
To maintain you all the days of your life

"Here is fifty thousand pounds in one pocket
To be given away to the poor
Fifty thousand in the other pocket
Shall be strewed from door to door"

There stands the old grim man
With the shining axe all in his hand
Saying, "Come you along here, Lord Ellenwater
For your life is at my command"

The people all amazed stood
And well enough they may
For he jumped three times upon his legs
After they had cut off his head.

Of course, you could collate the two versions so that the head was chatting away while the rest of him jumped up and down. Or, with a bit of ballad-restorers license, you could have the head diddling some mouth music while the legs danced a merry jig. What a show that would make!