Category Archives: ballads

Men of Harlech (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech), a Welsh Military March

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

 “Men of Harlech” (Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlech) is a traditional military march and is said to chronicle the seven-year long siege of Harlech Castle in the 1460s. The incident is considered the longest known siege in British history. The garrison was commanded … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, film, legends, military, music, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

George Thomson, Savior of British Traditional Music

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

“The Maid of Llanwellyn” is a Welsh song of love in which the girl admits she has no care for whether her lover is rich or not. From Contemplator [You may listen to the music on this site.] we learn, “This … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Georgian Era, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Finding Sheet Music During the Regency Era

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

Although quite expensive, sheet music was readily available during the Regency era. Many a person subscribed to services offered by music publishers, among the Schirmer, the most well known of the time. Sheet music was produced for subscribers in bound … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Eve Tradition of “Auld Lang Syne”~ From Where Does It Come?

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Regina Jeffers

Tomorrow night, many of you will break out into the strands of “Auld Lang Syne.” The song evokes nostalgia and a sense of belonging. But what do you know of the song’s origin? Of its lyrics?  According to “The History … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, history, holidays, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Origins of the “Irish” Ballad, “Danny Boy”

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, I admit it. “Danny Boy” is one of my favorite songs, but it is not because I am Irish (which I am, for I have strong Irish roots in my ancestral tree). I simply think that the melody of … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, history, Ireland, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hanging a Monkey as a French Spy During the Napoleonic Wars

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

What do you know of the Hartlepool Monkey and the “Monkey Hangers”? I certainly knew nothing of the tale until I stumbled across it. Legend says that a shipwrecked monkey was hanged as a French spy during the Napoleonic Wars … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Georgian England, history, legends, Living in the Regency, Napoleonic Wars | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Whiskey in the Jar,” a Traditional Irish Ballad

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

A traditional Irish song, “Whiskey in the Jar,” is about a Rapparee or Highwayman, whose wife/lover betrayed him. It is a widely popular tune that had know a number of professional recordings including: Séamus Ennis, Burl Ives, The Highwaymen, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, music, romantic verse, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Gest of Robyn Hode, a Robin Hood Folk Ballad

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

In 1560, William Copeland printed the fragments of the various Robin Hood folk dramas. The “plays” were likely performed by mummers and strolling players for a century or more before Copeland printed them. A Gest of Robyn Hode A Gest … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, Canterbury tales, drama, literature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

18th Century Folk Tune: “English Country Garden”

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

English Country Garden is well known in the United Kingdom, English Country Gardens was originally a Morris tune (that is a tune usually played on the accordion or violin to accompany traditional English Morris dancing).  The tune was collected by … Continue reading →

Posted in ballads, British history, music, Napoleonic Wars, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

17th Century Ballad, ‘The Oak and the Ash’ or ‘The North Country Maid’

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 This familiar song can be found in a black-letter copy also in the Roxburgh Collection. Isla Cameron and Louis Killen sang The Oak and the Ash in 1961 on their Prestige album The Waters of Tyne. It has a familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, ballads, customs and tradiitons, dancing, music | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments