Yep, folk music can be pretty gruesome stuff, at times. Such songs as:

The Fox Theft, slaughter

Rose Connelly Murder and conspriacy

Pretty Polly Domestic violence, murder

Banks of the Ohio Domestic violence, murder, again

Molly and Tenbrooks Possible cruelty to animals

The House Carpenter Fantasy leading to death by drowning.

I quit doing Banks of the Ohio because I had audiences laughing at what I thought was an inappropriate part of the song. In fact, I thought the laughter was inappropriate period. Pretty melody, however and alas.
Jim