“Murder is always a mistake – one should never do anything one cannot talk about after dinner” – Oscar Wilde
After our 7 chilling blues murder songs post, I felt country should get a say. As with the blues songs, betrayal seems to be the primary reason for murder. The country list relies on a number of classic tunes, many which have been covered numerous times. I highlighted and 
linked to lesser known (but excellent) versions. To hear the songs, click on the song hyperlink.
- Transfusion Blues – murder, wild eyed drug use, running to Mexico, and prison are well known themes for the murder ballad troubador, Johnny Cash.
- The Banks of the Ohio - oft covered (this version’s by Kristin Hersh) murder ballad will have you thinking twice before turning down a marriage proposal.
- Pretty Polly – an old murder ballad, you’ll find a wide variety of lyrics for this one. This Dock Boggs version tells of a Pretty Polly lured into the forest, killed, and buried in a shallow grave. The moral of the story? If I can’t have you–nobody can.
- The Cold Hard Facts of Life (Porter Wagoner‘s version) – written by Bill Anderson, this night of prospective romance turns into betrayal and murder. A classic final line throws down, “Who taught who the cold hard facts of life?”
- Long Black Veil - A Lefty Frizzell soap opera song, “Long Black Veil” talks about a soon-to-be executed man falsely accused of murder. He won’t give an alibi because, on the night of the murder, he was getting down and dirty with his best friend’s wife. Nobility wins out. He’d rather die than admit the truth.
- Darlin’ Cory - a well-known folk murder song about a banjo-picking, mountain woman. This version, by Roscoe Holcomb and his claw hammer banjo, is pure mountain music.
- Frankie & Johnnie – yet another well traveled murder song, I picked this version by Jimmie Rodgers because a) every murder song list should feature a song with yodeling and b) have an enthusiastic “rootie toot toot” just before the murder.
Sometime, in the near future, we’ll compile another list of country murder songs.
What are some your favorites?
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