“Lamkin” (Child ballad no. 93) takes the murder ballad to a different level. Its story goes beyond simple revenge or straightforward murder. As the ballad progresses, the level of violence becomes increasingly psychotic and unsettling. ... In some ways, “Lamkin” has a modern feel, and one we can see in random acts of violence such as a school shooting or a serial killer.

This story of the vengeful mason is Child Ballad #93 and is found in Motherwell (collected in England in 1825), and also in a number of American collections, including those of Cecil Sharp and Frank C. Brown. Brown suggests that “Lamkin” is a Flemish version of the name Lambert, since many fine masons were of Flemish blood and were often brought to England as builders.

I want to say that I never gave much thought to Bo Lamkin’s feelings until I too got to building. It seems he got angry because “’pay he got none”. I have had a occasion or two of this kind, not much I am glad to say. I don’t claim that I had murderous intent, but how I would have liked to take a big stone hammer and undone the work that pay I got none for. Old Bo, if he had only done this to his work would have had my admiration very much. Perhaps we would not have heard of him then, which perhaps would have been just as well.