“Susan Carr”
Description
Billy Green and Susan Carr had courted, but she turns to Thompson instead. Green challenges Thompson for the right to her hand. Green kills Thompson and drowns himself. Susan dies soon after. All three are buried together
Notes
The notes in Henry/Huntington/Herrmann speculate that this may be related to Laws P33, "Susannah Clargy" (one of the most obscure of the Laws ballads). I strongly doubt there is any link. There are common elements -- a girl with two lovers, and a death, as well as the similar names of the heroines -- but many different elements as well. "Susan Carr" sees the two suitors do battle, while "Susannah Clargy" is a song of suicide with the lover's ghost coming back to take her away. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Pride of Newry Town" (plot)
References
- SHenry H,690 p. 416, "Susan Carr" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #7964
- BI, HHH690