It’s simply the nature of the beast, I suppose, that more ballads tell of traumatic or tragic happen stances than tried-and-true or tender ones. Ballads that have been sung over the years in the Dark Corner are no exception. In these twice-told tales, the story of Holland Howard’s killing in a distillery, sad stories of train travelers and instances of infidelity in marriage have been presented so far. Another favorite ballad topic was unrequited love. The giving of your heart to another, only to have it unappreciated or outright rejected, was a devastating experience. Some victims were sufficiently strong to bounce back from the traumatic event and proceed to find meaning in everyday living again. Others were not so fortunate and felt their life was over. Bury Me Beneath the Willow is one of those instances.

Bury Me Beneath the Willow
My heart is sad and I am lonely,
Thinking of the one I love;
I know I nevermore shall see him
Till we meet in heav’n above.
Then bury me beneath the willow,
‘Neath the weeping willow tree;
And when he knows where I am sleeping,
Then perhaps he’ll weep for me.
They told me that he loved another,
How could I believe them true;
Until an angel softly whispered,
“He has proved his love untrue.”
Tomorrow was our wedding day,
Oh, Lord, Oh, Lord, where can he be?
He’s gone away to wed another
And no more he cares for me.
Then bury me beneath the willow,
‘Neath the weeping willow tree;
And when he knows where I am sleeping,
Then perhaps he’ll weep for me.