I found myself singing in public last night and, naturally, I try to sing Happy!, or more likely happy? songs. (Ie, songs that can be hooked to some event or anniversary of this week.) This is a little harder than doing the Happy! file as it restricts me to songs I actually know not just songs I can cite.

Well, as everybody will remember, May 10 is the anniversary of the Danes' devastation of the Isle of Anglesey (off Wales) in 994 ce. So it was pretty natural to think of and be prepared to sing "The Bonnie Lass Of Anglesey," (Child #220).

But just before it was my turn someone sang some soppy Irish Mother song and I realized that Mother's Day was at hand. I'd forgotten all about that, not being or having a mother. But this was certainly a mandatory Happy! date, now that I realized.

Well, feeling a bit trite, I sang "The Cruel Mother" (#20) but realized how few trad songs I'm at all familiar with that deal primarily with Mother (not just a line or two). And I cannot think of a single song that deals with matricide!

Quick: anybody know any songs about matricide?