• 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…
    • THE AIR OF THE “WHISTLING OYSTER.”) Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bab Ballads," a humorous chapter titled "THE AIR OF THE 'WHISTLING OYSTER,'" narrates the unusual story of an elderly prophet, aged seventy-three, and his young, beautiful bride of just eighteen. Despite the vast age gap and the peculiarity of their union, the couple surprisingly had a child—a boy whose early penchant for adult indulgences astounded everyone. From the moment of his birth, the child was not only born with a metaphorical pipe in his mouth and a glass in his eye, symbolizing an…
    • Ballad: Baines Carew, Gentleman Cover
      by LovelyMay In the realm of tender-hearted attorneys, none shone as brightly as Baines Carew, a man whose soul was as sensitive as his legal mind was sharp. Whenever tales of distress reached his ears from clients, his heart would swell with empathy, to the point where accepting payments became a struggle, burdened by his overwhelming compassion. Such sensitivity often came at a personal cost. The duties of his profession, such as foreclosing mortgages, suing, and even the act of distraining for unpaid rent,…
    • Ballad: Thomas Winterbottom Hance Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bab Ballads," the ballad "Thomas Winterbottom Hance" tells the playful tale of an unmatched swordsman in Merry England, Thomas Winterbottom Hance, celebrated for his extraordinary ability to cleave objects like silk handkerchiefs and legs of mutton cleanly in two with his saber, without any strain. His daily practice in Dover draws the ire of Monsieur Pierre from across the channel in Calais. Pierre, proclaiming himself the bravest in France, is irritated and vexed by Hance's saber skills, mocking…
    • Ballad: The Reverend Micah Sowls Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Bab Ballads," the ballad titled "The Reverend Micah Sowls" presents a comedic and critical look at the hypocrisy often associated with moralizing figures of authority, specifically targeting the clergy. The poem begins with an energetic and almost aggressive description of the Reverend Micah Sowls, a clergyman who passionately condemns the stage (theatre) as a domain of evil and immorality, urging his congregation to avoid it at all costs. His fervor is heightened by the presence of his bishop in…
    • 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: Gentle Alice Brown Cover
      by LovelyMay In the humorous ballad "Gentle Alice Brown" from *The Bab Ballads*, we follow the tale of Alice Brown, the daughter of a feared robber in a small Italian town. Unlike the grim nature of her family's profession, Alice’s tale takes a whimsical turn when she finds herself enamored with a handsome young gentleman she spies from her window, a sorter in the Custom-house, who innocently passes by her home each day. Despite the initial innocence of her crush, the narrative unfurls Alice’s confessions to the…
    • Ballad: Ellen McJones Aberdeen Cover
      by LovelyMay They gathered around PATTISON CORBY TORBAY, And played him some tunes in the traditional way. They started with jigs, then to reels they did switch, But PATTISON's mood did not improve one bit. "This is torture," he cried, "not a joyous refrain! Oh, cease your wild playing, it's hurting my brain!" But CLONGLOCKETTY swore by the thistle so sharp, He'd not cease his playing till dawn lit the harp. And so through the night, till the early morn broke, The Highlands resounded with pibroch and smoke. The…
    • 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…
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