It had almost escaped my notice that it is now May, the month that dooms to a heartbroken death 99% of characters from folk ballads. So, if you suspect you may be a character from a folk ballad, for your own safety:Ā
donāt fall in love, donāt go by the river, donāt go to the sea, donāt talk to sailors, donāt gamble, donāt ramble, donāt go North, donāt go North-West, donāt stand in the wind, donāt dance with anyone named Sally, Sue, Mary, Ann, or Barbara, donāt go to the pub (but if you do go to the pub at least donāt drink, and if you do drink at least pay for your own drink, and if you are absolutely broke and have to let someone else pay for your drink then at the very least do try not to forget to toast everyone you know whom you think might be there very loudly and possibly multiple times), donāt lend money, donāt borrow money, donāt wish you had more money, donāt make plans to make more money, donāt start working for a new employer, absolutely do believe anyone who says they will try to kill you, curse you, or maim you, absolutely do believe anyone who says you might die, turn down every invitation to go a-hunting, horse-riding, or a-courting, be wary of flute players you meet on your path, donāt dance with satanic men in black coats, donāt marry off your daughters to the first man whoāll have them, and donāt promise your true love any herbs you canāt readily plant and gather in your own garden.Ā