There's a long tradition of what are called murder ballads in Britain and Ireland, and this is Tunng's play on the theme, telling the story from the victim's point-of-view. I'm not sure it's quite the same story as the Sweet William ballad, but it's clearly in the tradition.
I think mechashiva is on to something here.
There's a long tradition of what are called murder ballads in Britain and Ireland, and this is Tunng's play on the theme, telling the story from the victim's point-of-view. I'm not sure it's quite the same story as the Sweet William ballad, but it's clearly in the tradition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_ballad