
audiobook
POPULAR BRITISH BALLADS - ANCIENT AND MODERN - By Various - Chosen and edited by R. Brimley Johnson - Illustrated By W. C. Cooke In Four Volumes Volume II - 1894
Original
THOMAS THE RHYMER
Original
THE BONNY HIND
KING HENRY
Original
WILLY'S LADY
Original
THE DÆMON LOVER
A lively anthology of British folk songs brings listeners into the world of centuries‑old verses, each one sung in the plain, rhythmic language that carried stories across hearths and fields. The collection gathers a mix of well‑known and obscure ballads, from the enchanted encounters of Thomas the Rhyming shepherd with the Queen of Elfland to the rustic courtship and tragedy of the Bonny Hind. Illustrations accompany the verses, adding a visual glimpse of the countryside, the green mantles and silver‑bell‑adorned riders that pepper the narratives.
The ballads celebrate both the ordinary and the supernatural, weaving themes of love, loyalty, warning, and wonder without ever losing the direct, sing‑along quality that made them popular in taverns and village gatherings. As each song unfolds, listeners hear characters negotiate fates, temptations, and promises, offering a vivid picture of the moral landscape that shaped early British folklore. The result is an immersive listening experience that feels like sitting beside a fire while a storyteller sings the ancient verses anew.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (205K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by Google Books
Release date
2014-03-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

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