Crossword Genius

Halt notes oddly for sad songs (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laments

'sad songs' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'halt notes oddly' is the wordplay.
'halt' becomes 'lame' ('lame' can be a synonym of 'halt').
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternating letters of 'notes' are 'nts'.
'lame'+'nts'='LAMENTS'

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for laments that I've seen before include "Bewails" , "Mourns" , "elegies" , "Feels regret" , "Bemoans" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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