Songs about men killing women

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: mrmoe
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 01:44 PM

...not sure if this one qualifies.....it's a beautiful ballad about a woman dying from a botched abortion......

"where the uplands roll"......carl watanabe

if you say my name where the uplands roll
and the answer you get ain't very kind
they'll be spoken by my hard friends of old
and my hard friends of old, I don't mind

I met a green eyed girl where the chaparral rolls
and grows high up to meet the yellow pine
her name and age best be unknown
it's enough just to say she once was mine

she was fair but her ways were much fairer yet
and her laughter could dance against the wind
her manner charmed everyone that she met
'til they held her as dear as next of kin

each young man placed his wealth and his soul in her hand
but none of them could be so proud
for she did choose a stranger to the land
and she came to me with her head bowed

our wedding day would come when the spring flowers bloomed
like two horses we danced into the sun
the stallion pranced and the mare would follow
before our wedding day a child would come

soldiers kill and we honor them with fortune and fame
but a baby who's harmed not one life
but is early to come is bathed full in shame
so must die unborn to a doctor's knife

as the doctor took our unborn babe
seeds of sorrow took root upon her mind
in her body the poison from his unwashed blade
left a wound who's cure we'd never find

so if you say my name where the uplands roll
and the answer you get ain't very kind
they'll be spoken by my hard friends of old
and my hard friends of old, I don't mind

but if they say not a word about me at all
but are reminded of a young girl once so fine
then listen close to the words that they recall
and they'll tell you of a girl who once was mine

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Ferrara
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 01:28 PM

A few months ago the Washington Post had an article about the high death rates of pregnant women -- often, from being murdered by the father of the baby. It didn't seem to make much difference whether they were married to each other or not. The coming of an unwanted baby is still very likely to evoke rage in the man who fathered it. (He didn't know this could happen?)

I thought, "This comes as a surprise? Obviously they don't listen to folk music." Sickening though, and disheartening, to realize how very often it still happens.

There is an album of old ballads that Camsco carries, I think it's called "Traditional Ballads of Virginia." It is a great archive, but it contained so many disaster and murder songs, in such graphic detail, that I asked Dick if I could please swap it for something less depressing. :-)

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: mrmoe
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 01:15 PM

...my apology to george ramaily.....he is the author of "four in the morning" done by jesse colin young on his first album.....

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:57 AM

Aha...talking about Dragging the River by Richard Thompson...

You thought that you were smart, little tart
When you threw me over for Shorty McKay
You thought that I would take it like a white man
Squeeze your hand as we said goodbye

Now the Police are out there dragging the river
Looking for a body, five foot two
There've been complaints about the drinking water
So they're dragging the river for you

I spent a fortune keeping you quiet
And you found a nice way to pay me back
Now how does the future look without me
From the inside of a sack?

Now the Police are out there dragging the river
Looking for a bone in an Irish stew
God help the worms and God help the fishies
They're dragging the river for you

All my life I've been a coward
You know I never had the courage to fend for myself
Killing you was the best thing I ever did
You worked wonders for my mental health

Now the Police are out there dragging the river
Looking for a body, five foot two
The divers are down and the beaters are out
And they're dragging the river for you

As John Peel said when Richard and Linda did the song on Top Gear - "Ah, the power of positive thought!"

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: mrmoe
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:29 AM

....and jesse colin young's "four in the morning"

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:05 AM

A great song (unrecorded) by Richard Thompson - "Dragging the River"

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 10:57 AM

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - in the holiday spirit.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GLoux
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 10:40 AM

Another...

Knoxville Girl

-Greg

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GLoux
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 10:38 AM

One of my favorites:

Fair Margaret and Sweet William

-Greg

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Joe_F
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 08:46 PM

Jellon Grame (Child 90). He saves the baby, tho, "smothering in her blood". Very nasty, but a good portrait of a psychopath.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 06:31 AM

Two famous ones I believe not mentioned yet:

Poor Murdered Woman

The Murder of Maria Marten

Both 19c, both historical more or less, both on the same album ("No Roses")

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,baz parkes
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 03:30 AM

On the modern front Oysterbands Oxford Girl does a good job

Baz

Though they might have been two words when they recorded it originally...:-)

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 09:53 PM

'Prince Heathen' has not been mentioned. I know he didn't kill her, but not for want of trying! It's about the most gruesome tale of treatment of woman by man that I can think of.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 04:11 AM

Scolds Bridle have one on their new CD called 'The Banks of Red Roses'
and it makes the murder sound almost beautiful.HUH!
Will try to find the words......

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 08:05 PM

Hey, Joe
Where ya' going with that gun in your hand
Hey, Joe,
I said, where you going with that gun in your hand
I'm going down to shoot my old lady
You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man
Huh! and that ain't cool
Huh hey hoe, I heard you shot your mamma down
You shot her down now
Hey, Joe, I heard you shot your lady down
You shot her down in the ground, yeah
Yeah!
Yes I did, I shot her
You know I caught her messin' 'round messin' 'round town
Huh, yes I did... I shot her
You know I caught here messin' 'round town
And I gave her the gun
And I shot her Alright
Shoot her one more time again, baby
Yeah
Oh, dig it
Oh, alright
Hey, Joe, where you gonna run to now
where you gonna go
Hey, Joe, where you gonna run to now
where you gonna go
I'm goin' way down south
way doen to Mexico way
I'm goin' way down south
way down where I can be free
Ain't no one gonna find me
an' ain't gonna put a rope 'round me
Ain't no hang-man gonna
He ain't gonna put a rope 'round me
You better believe it right now
I gotta go new
Hey, Joe, you better run on down
Goodbye everybody
hey, hey, Joe...

Jimi Hendirx... Great blues song done acoustically...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 02:08 PM

Deliah's Gone
Banks Of The Ohio
Little Sadie
Willie's Redheaded Stranger

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 01:22 PM

Hinckley Lido in Leicestershire was in Netherley Road (off Ashby Road) and opened in June 1935. It was on the site of what is now the Fludes Factory. Hollycroft Park was laid out in 1935. J. Ernest Rattenbury was best known for his Fernley-Hartley lectures and, amongst others, his book on The Evangelical Doctrine of Charles Wesley's Hymns. Twycross Gibbet Post is still extant. The inscription (which is not clear from the film) reads: 'The gibbet was erected here a 1/2 of a mile from the scene of a murder committed by John Massey, February 1800'. John Massey was a well-known wrestler who murdered his wife, and attempted to murder his daughter, by throwing them into a watermill wheel.

This song is written by Skatz and is called "The Tale Of Topsy Turvy"

Have a listen The Tale Of Topsy Turvy Select the third song on the right to listen to it.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,The Mole Catchers Apprentice
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 12:55 PM

Hanged I Shall Be - Albion Country Band (Martin Carthy vocals) from the album Battle of The Field.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,KennyB Sans Kuki
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 12:19 PM

Burke & Hare ( killed men and women) , Dick Darby the Cobbler, Old Woman of Wexford

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 06:03 PM

Musn't forget The Banks of the Ohio, or William Bloat (Though in William Bloat, herself lives and he caps off) Neil

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rumncoke
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 03:49 PM

Bethy Shepherd is probably gruesome enough.

Starts off 'come all ye' and the young perpetrator claims not to know what came over him -

'then picking up a hedge stake he there beat out her brains.'

Probably written recently but in the genre.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: topical tom
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 02:55 PM

Here are Tim O'Brien's lyrics to "Down in the Willow Garden":


                               Artist: O'Brien Tim
Song: Down in the Willow Garden
Album: The Crossing
        Buy Tim O'Brien Sheet Music
Buy Tim O'Brien CDs

Down in the willow garden
Where me and my true love did meet
It was there we went a courting
My love fell off to sleep
I had a bottle of burgundy wine
My true love she did not know
It was there I murdered that dear little girl
Down on the banks below

I drew my saber through her
It was a bloody knife
I threw her into the river
It was an awful sight
My father often told me
That money would set me free
If I'd but murder that dear little girl
Who's name was Rose Connely

Now he stands at his cabin door
Wiping his tear dimmed eye
Gazing on his own dear son
Upon the scaffold high
My race is run beneath the sun
The devil is waiting for me
For I did murder that dear little girl
Who's name was Rose Connely

[ More O'Brien Tim Lyrics ]

Album Lyrics: The Crossing [1999]


O'Brien Tim
"The Crossing"

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: topical tom
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 02:21 PM

Sorry! Another song is "Down in the Willow Garden":


                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmLR5XrckC4

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 07:25 PM

Edward? I thought it was his father he killed.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: topical tom
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:54 PM

To The Villan:Pretty Polly
~Traditional

Polly, pretty Polly, would you think me unkind
Polly, pretty Polly, would you think me unkind
if I sat down beside you and told you my mind

My mind is to marry and never to part
My mind is to marry and never to part,
The first time I saw you it wounded my heart

Polly, pretty Polly, come and go along with me
Polly, pretty Polly, come and go along with me
Before we get married some pleasure to seek

He led her over mountains and valleys so deep
He led her over mountains and valleys so deep
Polly misjudged him and she began to weep

Sayin' "Willie, Oh Willie, I'm afraid of your ways"
Willie, Oh Willie, I'm afraid of your ways"
The way you've been ramblin' you'd lead me astray

He said "Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right.
Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right,
I dug on your grave the best part of last night

She followed him a little farther and what did she find
She followed him a little farther and what did she find
A new dug grave and a spade lyin' by

She knealt down before him and begged for her life
She knealt down before him and begged for her life
Sayin' "Let me be a single girl if I can't be your wife"

"Polly, pretty polly that never could be.
Polly, pretty polly that never could be,
Your pink reputation's been trouble to me

He opened up her bosom as white as any snow
He opened up her bosom as white as any snow
He stabbed her through the heart and the blood began to flow

He went to the jailhouse and what did he say
He went to the jailhouse and what did he say
I've killed pretty Polly and I'm tryin' to get away

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    Here are the lyrics to "Pretty Polly"

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Neil D
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:16 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdQFKWeyKK0

Here's one.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:39 PM

She waaalked the bloody tower

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:08 PM

Of course, I forgot to mention "With 'er 'ead tucked underneath 'er arm".....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:52 PM

Hey Kitty, you like a bit of blood and guts don't you :-)

Nice stuff there Deskjet.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Deskjet
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:36 PM

Deadman's Tale
http://cdbaby.com/cd/bdevereux

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:25 PM

Little Musgrave, Long Lankin (though the false nurse helped), Susie Cleland (though her mother helped). The miller in the Two Sisters who pulled her out of the water just to rob her, before throwing her back in. Babylon - killed his own sisters because he didn't recognise them. Edward - incest and sororicide, similar to Lucy Wan, and also of course Sheath and Knife - incest, infanticide and sororicide.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:23 PM

Hey Tom, which one is you? Any lyrics?

TJ
Tom Dooley was probably one of the first songs I ever bought by Lonnie Donegan. Great song that.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:01 PM

In the "folk tradition," recording major local events in song was standard stuff. If it happened to be a murder of someone locals knew, it was certainly grist for the mill. The song many accuse of kicking off the "great folk scare" of the late 1950's and early '60's, "Tom Dooley," was (at least in the original form) just such a song. Frequently, the killer is remorseful, suffers a just fate, or both in the course of the song, hanging being the most prominent outcome. As one fellow said, "It ain't pretty, but it's life." Most of the songs I recall certainly don't "celebrate" the crime, but dwell,instead, on the darkness and evil associated with it, along with the punishment meted out.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: topical tom
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 04:00 PM

Pretty Pollyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvXGLym-llE

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 01:30 PM

Mikefule
>>This is just the sort of thread you don't want to have started the week before someone is brutally murdered in your town! Are you a loner who spends too much time on the internet?
<<
Nope, family man with 2 children. This is about folksongs that have already been written.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Mikefule
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 01:02 PM

This is just the sort of thread you don't want to have started the week before someone is brutally murdered in your town! Are you a loner who spends too much time on the internet?

Next thread: songs about people framed by the police for the brutal murder of a woman who happened to live nearby...

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 11:17 AM

Well certainly not with George Joseph Smith me thinks :-)

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 10:42 AM

No I never strayed from the path of the true tradition. It was fluffy kittens, manly pursuits and walks in the Lake District, the joys of watercolouring... that sort of thing that scratched my creative itch.

You see Les, I liked to see my audiences uplifted. You know what John Denver said:-

Country roads, take me home

And that's what I aspired to achieve. A walk down a English country lane, with all the scents of the meadow and sound of birdsong drowning ones senses. A rustic gate to lean on, and linger and appraise ones place in this benificent universe.

I wonder if I ever fully achieved that.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 10:08 AM

Did you ever write a song about such things Big Al?

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:40 AM

This is an unwholesome subject for a song, and I would strongly counsel you to think of nice subjects for songs and to try to avoid all mention of life's grubbier aspects.

Folksongs about fluffy kittens, a brisk cold shower after strenuous exercise, and walking holidays in the lake district form the basis of most English folksong collections (as is well known). Try to confine yourself to these, and you will be headed for a more fulfilled and (I use this in the good sense) more 'traditional' sort of existence.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:22 AM

Actually I thought it would be good to have a Man killing Woman instead of the Woman killing Man thread.

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:13 AM

And living in a house with 3 women

I'll get me vacuum cleaner :-)

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:11 AM

Too much nagging Mary LOL
Les

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:10 AM

What's brought this about Les? Too much Christmas spirit....?
Mary

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:05 AM

Maybe we can come up with the top ten of most horrific ones. Obviously the lyrics need to be very good.
I bet there has been a few good ens in the Welsh Mountains Mary :-)
Les

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 09:03 AM

ooh err Mary, youre in a gruesome mood. Yes thats the sort of thing. The worse the better LOL
Les

Subject: RE: Songs about men killing women
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 08:58 AM

How about Lady Maisry a bonny Scots girl, who is burnt to death at the stake for having an affair with an Englishman.It is her father and brothers who do the dreadful deed.
And Lucy Wan, who is chopped in three pieces by her incestuous brother.That little gem most recently was collected in the Fens.
Mary

Subject: Songs about men killing women
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 08:55 AM

I know there are plenty of songs out there covering this subject.
However, I am more interested in the most gruesome ones (trad or contemporary).
I am interested in the lyrics, origin and even an audio clip of such songs.

As an example, poisoning isn't gruesome enough :-)

I will get me chainsaw :-)