I didn't read it as 'lying ghost' but as the last song of someone who knows he's going to die and the last verse is just a glimpse to the future. Motivation? To make those who condemned you feel guilty.

My motivation for the new angle? Nothing but the realisation that the sentence 'I can't tell her name' tells nothing about the truth. It is just the sentence to be expected to hear whether it's true or not.

Former German chancellor Kohl asked how to account for some Million marks too much in the books of the CDU said he has given his word of honour to the donators not to mention their names at any cost. Well, that could even be true but assuming he lies that's one of the best lies he can invent for nobody really dares to challenge your word of honour.

Somehow I'm inclined to believe Joe Hill and to disbelieve Helmut Kohl, but that's just prejudice.

Wolfgang