Well, that is a sad situation indeed, Tattie, but IMHO, folksongs are often about what happens to folks in real Life - and that's not all saucy milkmaids and shepherds etc!!

I have an English BinL who was in the Vietnam War, still now with PTSD, and 4+ years ago, we both watched my husband, his brother, die from cancer/chemo ....
but if I still had a decent singing voice, I would still sing this song and I know they both would want me to.
If we stop singing/speaking about the uncomfortable topics, then it's like censorship and helps the "Big Boys" (be they Govts, Big Pharma et al), to WIN over us.

I note that this thread seems to have changed its name a few times since I originated it in 2002 and in the amalgamations, Norton1's postings have been lost.....

Cheers to all :)
R-J, Down Under