Introduction to Murder Ballad Monday
The murder ballad fascinates me. Not murder, of course, but songs about it—how the person or people who craft and carry on the song use something terrible to make something beautiful, or at least something useful or emotionally or morally resonant.
It’s a very old theme in popular song. Some murder ballads tell the news of real events. Some, using true stories or not, promote certain supposed social goods—chastity, for instance. They told cautionary tales. Many serve the classical literary function of catharsis.
I plan this to be a blog about this type of music. I plan to post weekly, on Mondays. I hope to invite a few others to post as well. I invite comments and discussion. I’m not an expert on folk music, nor on crime, nor on literature; but I hope to provide something non-frivolous and not too heavy about a genre that is both deep and wide, and, most importantly, touches on matters personal and political, often in an extraordinarily compelling way.
A few caveats:
First of all, as I hope is obvious, there is no intent to glamorize or glorify crime here, particularly murder. In my experience, these songs, on the contrary, often function to express disapproval or at least horror at the crime. They often evoke feelings of compassion; sometimes with the victim, sometimes with the killer. Compassion doesn’t equate with approval, though. Also, as forms of moral warning or otherwise, the songs often reflect on guilt, punishment, and repentance. This can enhance their cathartic value.
All this is very abstract, I know. The songs will make it more specific.
Second, not all of the songs I’ll post and discuss will be about murder per se, legally speaking or otherwise; and not all will be ballads, at least formally.
All of the songs will likely involve the intentional use of potentially lethal force. Sometimes there won’t be killing. Sometimes the killing (or use of force) will be in self-defense. Sometimes it will be an act of law enforcement (just or otherwise). When and if I post songs describing the acts of individuals still living, who may or may not have been prosecuted and/or exonerated for their acts, I am not implying a legal/moral judgment that the act is murder. “Intential use of potentially lethal force song Mondays” is just too clunky. I’ll reaffirm that when/if the time comes, but consider it affirmed here.
All of the songs will involve a story. Some will tell it. Others will refer to it. The story may or may not be a real one. In any event, the songs discussed won’t always be in the traditional ballad form (all standard stanzas, no refrain, etc.).
All of the songs will likely involve the intentional use of potentially lethal force. Sometimes there won’t be killing. Sometimes the killing (or use of force) will be in self-defense. Sometimes it will be an act of law enforcement (just or otherwise). When and if I post songs describing the acts of individuals still living, who may or may not have been prosecuted and/or exonerated for their acts, I am not implying a legal/moral judgment that the act is murder. “Intential use of potentially lethal force song Mondays” is just too clunky. I’ll reaffirm that when/if the time comes, but consider it affirmed here.
All of the songs will involve a story. Some will tell it. Others will refer to it. The story may or may not be a real one. In any event, the songs discussed won’t always be in the traditional ballad form (all standard stanzas, no refrain, etc.).
So, there we go.