Wit and Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy, Vol. 6 of 6

A lively anthology of early‑modern English song, this volume gathers the playful, ribald and occasionally sentimental verses that filled taverns, drawing‑rooms and public theatres at the turn of the eighteenth century. Compiled by a prolific dramatist‑songwriter, it continues a tradition that began with a modest pamphlet of “witty ballads” in the 1660s and grew into a six‑part “standard edition” celebrated by London’s musical crowd. Though not every piece includes a full score, the collection reflects the familiar melodies of the day, many of which were once supplied by composers such as John Blow and Henry Purcell.

Listeners will discover a cornucopia of themes—mock‑heroic duels, flirtatious courtship, cheeky commentary on fashion and folly, and outright bawdy exchanges—each framed with clever wordplay and a keen sense of timing. The alphabetical arrangement invites a wandering ear, moving from a jaunty sailor’s chant to a tender love lyric, then to a satirical take on social pretensions. Together, these songs capture the spirit of an era eager for wit, mirth, and a good‑hearted antidote to melancholy.