Our first post this week introduced the murder ballad “Young Emily”. 19th century English folk knew it as “Young Edwin in the Lowlands Low”. Eventually it acquired many other names – all cataloged commonly today as both Laws M34 and Roud 182. … Continue reading →
(photo by K. Bigger) This is our second post on the ballad “Bold William Taylor.” To read the first post, click here.When is a murder ballad not a murder ballad?The performance that brought “William Taylor” back to my attention (acknowledging … Continue reading →
Illustration from “Billy Taylor” broadside “The Tragedy of the Press-Gang: A True and Lamentable Ballad call’d Billy Taylor, shewing the fatal effects of Inconstancy.” Transvestism! Seafaring! Betrayal! Murder! In my last full week of posts, I explored “The Demon Lover” … Continue reading →
