
audiobook
Step into the lively world of early‑18th‑century England with this vibrant anthology of comic and bawdy ballads. Compiled from the popular “Wit and Mirth” series, the collection gathers everything from flirtatious love verses and clever word‑play to cheeky satires on society’s foibles, all set to melodies that would have been humming through London’s taverns and drawing rooms. Though many of the original tunes are lost to time, the lyrics capture the wit, rhythm, and exuberant spirit that made these songs the soundtrack of their age.
Listeners will hear the unmistakable voice of a prolific playwright‑songwriter whose work once filled the stages and streets of the capital, alongside contributions from celebrated composers of the day. The alphabetical arrangement invites a pleasant wander through themes of romance, rivalry, and revelry, offering a glimpse into the everyday humor and concerns of a bygone era. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply love a good tune, this collection promises an entertaining auditory trip back to a time when music and merriment were the perfect antidote to melancholy.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (281K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Lesley Halamek, David Newman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-08-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

by Algernon Charles Swinburne

by Algernon Charles Swinburne

by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould, F. W. (Frederick William) Bussell, H. Fleetwood (Henry Fleetwood) Sheppard

by E. M. Smith-Dampier

by Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray

by Various Authors