
audiobook
by W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert
The Bab Ballads
CAPTAIN REECE
THE DARNED MOUNSEER
THE RIVAL CURATES
THE ENGLISHMAN
ONLY A DANCING GIRL
THE DISAGREEABLE MAN
GENERAL JOHN
THE COMING BY-AND-BY
TO A LITTLE MAID - BY A POLICEMAN
A lively anthology of witty verses and playful songs invites listeners into a world of satire, absurdity, and gentle mock‑heroics. The poet’s sharp eye turns everyday characters—curates, policemen, aristocrats, and ordinary folk—into comic caricatures, each piece delivering a punchy rhyme and a twist of humour that feels both timeless and instantly engaging.
Interwoven with the verses are fresh, lively drawings that capture the mischievous spirit of the words, offering a visual counterpart to the lyrical jokes. The collection also includes a selection of theatrical numbers drawn from the writer’s celebrated light operas, showcasing the same clever wordplay set to music. Together, the poems and songs create a bright, entertaining listening experience that celebrates the art of the comic lyric without ever taking itself too seriously.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (362K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Jwala Kumar Sista, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2017-03-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1836–1911
Best known as the witty lyricist behind the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, he helped shape Victorian musical theatre with sharp satire, absurd plots, and a wonderfully precise ear for language. His work still feels lively thanks to its mix of elegance, mischief, and memorable songs.
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