Poor Ellen Smith (Roud 448) is an American murder ballad that originated in the late 19th century, recounting the shooting death of one Ellen Smith,[1] and the trial and execution of her murderer, Peter de Graff.
He apparently wrote the lyrics while awaiting execution by hanging in 1893 using a melody he purloined from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation".
In 1894, a ne'er-do-well named Peter DeGraff had a love affair with Ellen Smith, who may have been mentally challenged and was unable to understand his rejection of her.
[3] The song and its variants have been performed and recorded by a range of artists including Tommy Jarrell, Neko Case, Laura Cantrell, Molly O'Day, Kristin Hersh, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Jimmy Martin, the Stanley Brothers, Ralph Stanley & Larry Sparks, the Kossoy Sisters, Billy Strings, The Country Gentlemen, John Hartford, The Kingston Trio, Crooked Still, Robert Earl Keen, Wussy, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.
The plot was also adapted by German Folk-Metal band Subway to Sally in their song "Arme Ellen Schmitt".