English and Scottish Ballads, Volume III

This volume gathers a lively assortment of traditional English and Scottish ballads, each presented in the spellings and dialects that survived in the original manuscripts. The editor has kept the language untouched, letting listeners hear the raw texture of the verses while providing only modest punctuation adjustments for clarity. From haunting romances like “Earl Richard” to the brisk wit of “The Three Ravens,” the collection showcases the range of medieval storytelling—love, betrayal, heroic deeds, and the supernatural all swirl through the verses.

The accompanying notes give brief context, pointing out the sources of each ballad and the variants that have circulated over the centuries. Listeners will recognize familiar motifs such as wandering knights, enchanted rings, and mournful laments, while also encountering rarer gems that have survived in single copies. The anthology offers a window into the oral culture of the British Isles, preserving the rhythm and emotion that have kept these songs alive for generations.