• Ballad:  The Bishop Of Rum-Ti-Foo Again Cover
      by LovelyMay The ballad "The Bishop of Rum-Ti-Foo Again" recounts the return of a beloved bishop, Peter, to his followers after a year's absence. Peter, distinguished among his peers, brought back valuable knowledge from his journeys to his colonial congregation. Emphasizing the importance of art and education, Peter had previously introduced the Payne-cum-Lauri feat to enrich the lives of his flock in Rum-ti-Foo, aiming to spread the fruits of progress to the most remote corners. Upon his return, the bishop found…
    • Ballad:  A Worm Will Turn Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "A Worm Will Turn" from "The Bab Ballads," we are introduced to Bernard Jupp, a man of unyielding joviality and resilience amidst life's adversities. Bernard's optimism doesn't wane, even under the gloomiest circumstances. He faces life with a smile and a joke, making light of his own hardships. Whether tackling poverty or confronting the misfortunes that befall his family, Bernard retains his unwavering spirit. Bernard's father, once a wealthy man with his own house and park, succumbs to…
    • Ballad:  The Haughty Actor Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Haughty Actor," presented as a ballad from "The Bab Ballads," we meet Gibbs, an actor of Drury Lane, celebrated for his remarkable performance which enticed excessive admiration. This adulation, however, swells his ego to the point of vanity, especially when confronted with a lesser role in another play, which he haughtily refuses. Following this decision, a vivid dream unfolds, serving as the core of our ballad. The dream transports Gibbs into a dramatic altercation with a band of robbers, during…
    • Ballad:  The Two Majors Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "The Two Majors" from "The Bab Ballads," an insightful look into military life and the complex relationships between officers and their men is presented with both humor and a touch of irony. Major La Guerre and Major Makredi Preper are depicted as the embodiment of the strict yet respected military officer. Both majors are fervent in their lack of praise and abundant in their rebukes, characteristics that paradoxically endear them to their soldiers. Their shared philosophy is that a soldier,…
    • Ballad:  Emily, John, James, And I.  A Derby Legend Cover
      by LovelyMay In the ballad "Emily, John, James, and I," part of the Bab Ballads collection, we are introduced to a tale of rivalry and love set against the backdrop of the Derby. Emily Jane, a dedicated nursery maid, finds herself the object of affection of two very different suitors: James, a gallant Life Guard, and John, a constable with a modest income. The narrator, presenting themselves as a "doggerel bard," humorously interjects personal commentary throughout, aligning themselves with the characters in their…
    • Ballad:  Gregory Parable, LL.D. Cover
      by LovelyMay In the leafy environs adorned with ivy and bustling with the activity of bees and birds, stood a thatch-roofed, dry rot-free cottage. This quaint dwelling was home to Mary and her scholarly father, Gregory Parable, LL.D., a man of simple pleasures and profound learning. Gregory, an erudite yet childlike scholar, was deeply engrossed in Latin grammars and the ancient texts of Caesar and Balbus, often found pondering their complexities in the early spring green of his garden. Gregory's life was a quiet…
    • Ballad:  The Perils Of Invisibility Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad "The Perils Of Invisibility," we meet Old Peter, who suffers under the tyranny of a tempestuous wife and battles with his considerable girth, measuring several yards in circumference. One fateful summer day, a diminutive fairy named Picklekin visits Peter, offering him three extraordinary gifts: boundless riches, eternal health, or the power of invisibility. Without a moment's hesitation, Peter opts for invisibility, dreaming of the peace it will bring from his wife's relentless…
    • Ballad:  The King Of Canoodle-Dum Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The King of Canoodle-Dum," from "The Bab Ballads," we're introduced to the adventurous tale of Frederick Gowler, a seasoned mariner who left his vessel, the Howler, during its voyage in the Caribbee. His travels brought him into the unexpected company of Calamity Pop Von Peppermint Drop, the whimsical and peculiar ruler of Canoodle-Dum. Upon their meeting, the king humorously questions Gowler's presence in a land devoid of sea, to which Gowler responds with a sorrowful narrative of mistreatment back…
    • Ballad:  Old Paul And Old Tim Cover
      by LovelyMay In the humorous ballad "Old Paul and Old Tim," two equally matched suitors, Old Paul and Old Tim, vie for the affections of the young and spirited Emily. Neither suitor possesses distinct advantages over the other, presenting a dilemma for Emily, neither attracting nor repelling her particularly. Paul and Tim are described as old, bold, and of no discernible preference, emphasizing their indistinguishable suitability as potential husbands. Emily, however, demands a proof of bravery from her suitors,…
    • Ballad:  The Mystic Selvagee Cover
      by LovelyMay Sir Blennerhassett Portico, a renowned Navy Captain, esteemed Baronet, and decorated K.C.B., harbored an unwavering belief—instilled from his formative years—that Lord Rodney was the quintessential naval hero far outshining any other. Sir Portico revered Rodney's naval prowess above all and dedicated himself to emulating the legendary seaman's every habit, from speech to posture. In this pursuit, he managed to uncover Jasper, a weathered sailor who once sailed under Rodney's command during the…
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