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There are many different versions of this ballad. SYNOPSIS A man mourns his true love for "a twelve month and a day". At the end of that time, the dead woman complains that his weeping is keeping her from peaceful rest. He begs a kiss. She tells him it would kill him and sends him away. VARIANTS Many verses in this ballad have parallels in other ballads: '' Bonny Bee Hom '', '' Sweet William's Ghost '' and some variants of '' The Twa Brothers ''.Francis James Child, ''The English and Scottish Popular Ballads'', v 2, p 234, Dover Publications, New York 1965 The motif that excessive grief can disturb the dead is found also in German and Scandinavian ballads, as well as Greek and Roman traditions.Francis James Child, ''The English and Scottish Popular Ballads'', v 2, p 234-6, Dover Publications, New York 1965 The version noted by of the body. RECORDINGS Kate Rusby , Joan Baez , Steven Wilson , The Dubliners , Faith And The Muse , Ween , and Gryphon among others, have recorded versions of this song. A single movement viola concerto by Australian composer Andrew Ford used the melody of the ballad as its foundation. Written in 1997, the concerto is pieced together from melodic fragments of the ballad and it is only in the final few minutes that the full theme emerges. It has been performed by Australian violists Patricia Pollett and Roger Benedict . REFERENCES
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