• Ballad: The Folly Of Brown — By A General Agent Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Folly of Brown - By A General Agent," the narrator recounts his experiences with a man named Brown, a simple farmer who unexpectedly came into a fortune of two hundred thousand. Despite this windfall, Brown's demeanor and lifestyle remain unchanged, embodying the essence of a clown – not in the theatrical sense but reflecting a lack of sophistication and education. The newfound wealth leaves Brown unfazed, his ignorance evident as he continues to live a simple life, uninterested in the luxuries…
    • Ballad: Thomson Green And Harriet Hale (To be sung to the Air of “An ‘Orrible Tale.”) Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad of Thomson Green and Harriet Hale, a tale unfolds that is as amusing as it is implausible, best captured by the recurring sentiment, "Twaddle twaddle twaddle twaddle twaddle twaddle twum!" Thomson Green, an auctioneer with an annual income of three hundred pounds, happens upon Harriet Hale, a pianoforte instructor of some repute, in the charming confines of Regent's Park. Their initial encounter, marked by Green's offhand admiration for the day's beauty, sparks a romance that…
    • Ballad: Sir Macklin Cover
      by LovelyMay Sir Macklin is a tale from "The Bab Ballads" focusing on the stern, moralizing efforts of Sir Macklin, a priest determined to correct the wayward paths of three young men: Tom, Bob, and Billy. These youths, known for their vain and carefree dispositions, habitually spent their Sundays strolling and chatting in various parks and gardens, blatantly ignoring the Sabbath law and the principles of decency and restraint that Sir Macklin vehemently espoused. Sir Macklin, described as a priest of severe demeanor…
    • Ballad: Bob Polter Cover
      by LovelyMay Bob Polter was a hardworking navvy of thirty-two, known for his coarse hands and sun-tanned, rough face. Without a wife, he lived simply among his working peers, embodying the characteristics of a decent, albeit imperfect, English working man. Despite his modest indulgence in smoking and a daily pot of beer—which occasionally increased in quantity or led to convivial nights and even fights on Saturdays—Bob was fundamentally a sober, responsible laborer. One day, while at the Nelson's Head, a…
    • Ballad: The Yarn Of The “Nancy Bell” Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Yarn of the Nancy Bell," narrated by an ancient sailor found between Deal and Ramsgate, unfolds a gruesome tale of survival at sea. The elderly naval figure, with his unkempt hair and lengthy beard, chants a peculiar song of being the sole survivor of the Nancy Bell, claiming to embody every role aboard from captain to cook, and even the crew of the captain's gig. His wild gestures and frayed appearance suggest a man touched by hardship and madness, a notion that does little to quell the listener's…
    • Ballad: The Bishop Of Rum-Ti-Foo Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bishop of Rum-Ti-Foo," a whimsical narrative unfurls about a Bishop named Peter, who is appointed to the exotic isle of Rum-ti-Foo. This charming ballad, peppered with humor and a light-hearted tone, encapsulates the Bishop's adventures and his earnest attempts to assimilate with the natives of Rum-ti-Foo. These locals, numbered at twenty-three, express their culture through the vibrant beats of the tum-tum and a peculiar culinary preference for scalps marinated in rum. Bishop Peter, in his…
    • Ballad: The Story Of Prince Agib Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Story of Prince Agib," the tale unfolds with a vibrant invocation to musical instruments, setting the stage for a narrative about Agib, the Prince of Tartary. Agib, depicted as a musically gifted youth, indulges in composing ballet music and playing a variety of instruments, showcasing his artistic versatility. His life takes an unexpected turn during a harsh winter when two starving Tartar minstrels, referred to as the "Ouaits," arrive at his gates. Moved by their plight, Agib welcomes them…
    • Ballad: Peter The Wag Cover
      by LovelyMay Policeman Peter, known for his playful and mischievous nature, is the central figure in this rollicking narrative. Peter, a man of law wrapped in the joys of his comical inclinations, relished leading the unsuspecting astray with his humor-laced guidance. When asked about the time, his responses were absurdly inaccurate, delighting in the confusion of the inquirer. His playful demeanor extended to the streets he patrolled, often sending people in completely wrong directions or involving himself in…
    • Ballad: Ben Allah Achmet; — Or, The Fatal Tum Cover
      by LovelyMay In the quaint county of Sussex, notably in the town of Hooe, lived three uniquely contrasting characters whose lives intertwined in a tale of unrequited love and peculiar malady. The first of these characters was Effendi Khan Backsheesh Pasha Ben Allah Achmet, a Turkish gentleman of considerable note, who found himself smitten with the charm and grace of a local damsel, Emily MacPherson. Despite the grand allure of his Eastern heritage and the opulence that adorned his life, Ben Allah Achmet found himself…
    • Ballad: The Three Kings Of Chickeraboo Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad titled "The Three Kings of Chickeraboo" from "The Bab Ballads," we are transported to the imaginary land of Chickeraboo, where reside three individuals—PACIFICO, BANG-BANG, and POPCHOP. On a particularly sweltering day, they whimsically decide to declare themselves kings, albeit in a modest manner. PACIFICO is adept at playing the "bones," BANG-BANG excels in banjo music, and POPCHOP is known for his remarkable "flap" dance moves. United by a clever scheme, they decide to…
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