In his time, Johnny Cash sang more than one murder ballad. Adam Cohen,
Kenny Rogers, Crooked Still, Sting, and Tom Waits also recorded songs in this
genre. Even the consummate pop songwriter Barry Manilow wrote a song about
murder (perhaps one day I will expand on these other murder-ballads).
Sympathy for the
Dead
Down the long dark corridor
I heard the sounds I couldn’t expect
Her clothes were strewn on the floor
My heart was frozen in my chest
Door was open just a crack
Pushed it wide for I must be sure
Gun on the floor she always packed
It would be used for this cure
It was over in an instant
Just another crime of passion
Punished to the full extent
Swift justice or retribution
The trial was over in three days
No time to hear all the facts
Nothing ‘bout his abusive ways
To explain my attack
It was over in an instant
Just another crime of passion
Punished to the full extent
Swift justice or retribution
Now the doors close on my plan
Excuses ringing in my head
Surely he was an evil man
Becky’s safe now the monster’s dead.
It was over in an instant
Just another crime of passion
Punished to the full extent
Swift justice or retribution
Down the long dark corridor
I hear from those who will wish me well
Those now standing at their doors
And those who wished I’d just go to hell
Over in an instant
Payment for a crime of passion
Punished to the full extent
Swift justice or
retribution
It was over in an instant
Just another crime of passion
Punished to the full extent
Swift justice or retribution
Lyrics and music by
Mike Charko and Keith Shields; Key of Zed Music, 2016;
SOCAN 2016.