Street Ballads of Victorian England collection
Special Collections and Archives
Street Ballads of Victorian England collection
Special Collections and Archives
Street Ballads of Victorian England collection
Street Ballads of Victorian England collection
Finding Aid
Author: Cara Gilgenbach, May 13, 2002
Revisions: Updated by Haley Antell, October 2018; Last updated October 2023
Descriptive Rules: DACS
Inclusive Dates: circa 1681-1870
Bulk Dates: circa 1850-1870
Extent: 1 cubic foot (2 oversized document cases and 3 oversized folders)
Physical Location: 11th floor; oversized materials are shelved in map case
Language of Materials: English
Historical Note: Broadside ballads were part of the rich mix of popular street literature produced in England from the 16th through 19th centuries. These ballads, printed cheaply on thin sheets of paper, were sold on the streets of England by peddlers and hawkers for a penny or half-penny, in most cases. The ballads centered on popular subject matter such as love, sex, marriage, politics, religion, fantastic tales, humorous anecdotes, social reform, and crime. Most included an illustration of some kind, though in many cases the image had little or nothing to do with the subject of the text. In London, many broadside ballads were printed by publishers located in the Seven Dials district including the well-known print shops of John Marshall, John Pitts, and James Catnach.
Scope and Content: This collection contains approximately 200 English street ballads, printed on portions of broadside sheets, the bulk of which date from around 1850-1870. Some sheets contain two ballads printed side by side or at top and bottom. The author and printer information are included when available, however most of these ballads do not include authors' names. Please note that a handful of the ballads listed below are related to crime.
Statement of Arrangement: Materials are arranged in alphabetical order by title.
Related Material: Other examples of criminal broadsides are found in the Borowitz Crime sub-collections British Criminal Broadsides collection and Criminal Broadsides of America collection.
Publication Note: For further reading on broadside ballads and the history of street literature, see the following works:
- Ashton, John. Modern Street Ballads. New Introduction by Leslie Shepard. London: Chatto & Windus, 1888. Reissued by Singing Tree Press, 1968.
- Bratton, J. S. The Victorian Popular Ballad. Totowa, New Jersey: Rowman and Littlefield, 1975.
- Shepard, Leslie. The Broadside Ballad: A Study in Origins and Meaning. London: Herbert Jenkins, 1962.
- Shepard, Leslie. The History of Street Literature: The Story of Broadside Ballads, Chapbooks, Proclamations, News-Sheets, Election Bills, Tracts, Pamphlets, Cocks, Catchpennies, and other Ephemera. Detroit, Michigan: Singing Tree Press, 1973.
Acquisition Information: This collection was donated to Kent State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives in 1999 by Albert I. and Helen O. Borowitz.
Alternate Form Available: This collection has been digitized and is available online. The inventory below includes links to the digital content.
Street Ballads of Victorian England collection - Box 1
Folder -- Contents
- Street Ballad: Allen's Farewell to his Love, undated
Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st, Oldham-rd. Manchester - Street Ballad: Arab Steed; Light Bark, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Aw Connut Dry My Heen, Robin, undated
Author: Scholes, John
Publisher: Abel Heywood, 58, Oldham Street, Manchester - Street Ballad: Away to the Mountain's Brow; The Bloom is on the Rye, undated
- Street Ballad: Awve Hard Wark to Howd Up Mi Yed, undated
Author: Laycock, S.
Publisher: Reprinted from the "North Cheshire Herald." Hyde: G. Booth, Printer, Hamnet-Street - Street Ballad: The Banished Defender, undated
Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., off Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Banks of Sweet Dundee, undated
- Street Ballad: Barney Brallaghan, undated
- Street Ballad: Battle of the Alma, undated
Publisher: [Bebbington], Printer, [2]6, [Goul]den-street, Oldham Road, Manchester, and sold by [remainder is unreadable] - Street Ballad: Be Careful in Choosing a Wife, undated
- Street Ballad: The Beautiful Muff, undated
- Street Ballad: The Belfast Lovers, undated
Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer & Stationer, 6, Chadderton St., Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Bessy The Sailor's Bride, undated
- Street Ballad: Betting Tailor of Regent St., undated
Historical Note: Tune: "Rat Catcher's Daughter" - Street Ballad: Black Flag, undated
- Street Ballad: Blow the Candle In, undated
Author: Morgan, J.
Historical Note: Sold by J. Martin, Little Prescott Street.
Publisher: Printed by Hill, 14, Waterloo Rd. London - Street Ballad: Blow the Winds I. O., undated
- Street Ballad: Blue-ey'd Stranger, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Bob & Bet, undated
Historical Note: Sold by J. Beaumont, Leeds
Publisher: Printed by John Bebbington, 31, Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Bonny Black Hare; Lubin & Mary, undated
Scope and Content: Includes two copies, one copy cut in half. - Street Ballad: The Bonny Blue Jacket, undated
Publisher: Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-ct. - Street Ballad: Brave Nelson, undated
Publisher: Harkness, Printer, Park-road, Preston - Street Ballad: The Brave Old Oak, undated
Publisher: Wheeler, Printer, No. 9 Whittle-st., Manchester - Street Ballad: Brennan on the Moor; Limerick Races!, undated
Historical Note: “Limerick Races!” as sung by Sam Collins
Publisher: Printed by H. Such, 123, Union Street, Borough - Street Ballad: A Bull in a China Shop, undated
Historical Note: Sold by John Livsey, Shudehill, Manchester
Publisher: Printed by George Walker, Jun., Sadler-street, Durham - Street Ballad: Burns and Highland Mary, undated
- Street Ballad: Burns's Farewell, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Charity Boy, undated
- Street Ballad: Cheap Food Laws, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Chelsea Ladies Confessing Their Sins; Tapping at the Window, undated
- Street Ballad: Christmas, undated
Author: Bealey, R. R.
Publisher: John Heywood, 143, Deansgate, Manchester - Street Ballad: Cigars & Cogniac, undated
Historical Note: Sold by J. Beaumont, 176, York-street, Leeds
Publisher: Bebbington, Printer, 26, Goulden-street, Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Clementina Clemmins, undated
Publisher: London: H. Such, Printer & Publisher, 177, Union Street, Boro' S. E. - Street Ballad: Come Back to Erin, undated
Publisher: Pearson, Printer, Chadderton-St. Oldham-Rd. Manchester - Street Ballad: Confession of Thos. Drory, undated
Publisher: Disley, Printer, 16, Arthur-street, St. Giles's - Street Ballad: The Constant Pair or, the Pretty Prentice Boy, undated
- Street Ballad: Contented Wife, undated
- Street Ballad: Copy of Verses on the Late Dreadful Fire in James Street, Lisson Grove, undated
Publisher: London: Printed and Published by H. Such, 123, Union Street, Borough. Where all new Songs may be had as soon as Published - Street Ballad: Copy of Verses on the Trial, and Confession of Frederick Prentice for the Murder of Emma Coppins, at Queenborough, Kent, on January 11th, 1859, undated
Publisher: Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane, Whitechapel
Related Material: See also "The Dreadful Murder of Emma Coppins, aged 16, at Queenborough, Kent" - Street Ballad: Country Chap's Adventures Down a Coal Pit, undated
Author: Wrigley, I.
Publisher: Livsey, Printer - Street Ballad: Country John, undated
- Street Ballad: Th' Courtin' Neet, undated
Author: Laycock, Samuel
Publisher: J. Higham & Co., Printers, Hamnet-street, Market Place, Hyde - Street Ballad: Crafty Maid's Policy, undated
Publisher: Pitts, Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials - Street Ballad: The Cruel Ship Carpenter, undated
Historical Note: Sold by John Beaumont, 176, York Street, Leeds
Publisher: J. O. Bebbington, Printer, 26, Goulden Street, Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Cupid's Garden, undated
Publisher: John Bebbington, Printer, 31 Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Curly Headed Ploughboy, undated
- Street Ballad: Darbee & his Dizzy, undated
Historical Note: Tune: "Vilikins and his Dinah"
Publisher: Rial & Co., Printers, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials - Street Ballad: The Dear Irish Boy; The Bold Boatswain of Dover, undated
Publisher: J. Harkness, Printer, 121 & 122, Church Street, Office--North Road, Preston - Street Ballad: The Doctors they all are naughty; Brandy and Godfrey's Cordial, undated
- Street Ballad: Downfall of the Exhibition, undated
Publisher: Disley, Printer, 16, Arthur Street, Oxford Street - Street Ballad: The Dreadful Murder of Emma Coppins, aged 16, at Queenborough, Kent, undated
Publisher: London: Printed and Published by H. Such, 123, Union Street, Borough. Hawkers, Travellers, and Shops Supplied on the lowest possible terms.
Related Material: See also "Copy of Verses on the Trial, and Confession of Frederick Prentice for the Murder of Emma Coppins, at Queenborough, Kent, on January 11th, 1859" - Street Ballad: England Demands Reform: and Reform She'll Have, undated
Historical Note: Tune: "White Cockade," "Paddingtom Omnibus"
Publisher: Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane - Street Ballad: The Englishman, Irishman, and Scotchman; or, Dearly you must pay for your mutton, undated
Scope and Content: Includes two copies. - Street Ballad: Exile of Erin, undated
Publisher: Swindell, Printer, Manchester - Street Ballad: Fair Maria, undated
Publisher: J. Swindells, Printer, Manchester - Street Ballad: Farewell Fanny Frail, undated
- Street Ballad: Female Rambling Sailor, undated
- Street Ballad: Fight between Donally & Cooper, undated
- Street Ballad: Five Cripples, undated
Historical Note: The title of this street ballad uses offensive, ableist language. The broadside is retained in the collection as a reflection of the era in which it was created. - Street Ballad: A Flare up amongst the Lambeth Guardians, undated
Publisher: Paul Printer Great Saint Andrew Street, Bloomsbury - Street Ballad: Foot Passengers Keep to the Right, undated
Author: Laycock, Samuel - Street Ballad: Fourpence H'apenny Cap, undated
Publisher: J. Harkness, Printer, 121, Church Street, Preston - Street Ballad: Freemasons, undated
Publisher: Printed by J. Swindells - Street Ballad: Freemason's Song, undated
- Street Ballad: Godfrey's Cordial, undated
- Street Ballad: Great Plum Pudding, undated
- Street Ballad: Have You Seen My Missus?, undated
- Street Ballad: Haymakers; Pretty Jane, undated
Publisher: T. Pearson, 6, Chadderton-street, off Oldham-road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Henpecked Club, undated
Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-street, off Oldham-road, Manchester - Street Ballad: The Hole in Her Stocking, undated
- Street Ballad: I am an Irish boy from Dublin Town I Came, undated
Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., off Oldham Road Manchester - Street Ballad: The Illuminated Dials, undated
Publisher: Dever, Printer, Great St. Andrew St., 7 Dials - Street Ballad: I'm Going to See the Exhibition for a Shilling, undated
Publisher: Disley, Printer, Arthur-street, Oxford-street - Street Ballad: I'm Like to Be There, undated
Scope and Content: Includes two copies. - Street Ballad: I'm Off to Charlestown Early in de Morning; Green Brooms, undated
Publisher: London: Printed at Such's Song Mart, 123, Union Street, Borough. Hawkers Supplied - Street Ballad: Irish Emigrant, undated
Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., Off Oldham Road, Manchester - Street Ballad: Iter Oxoniense, or, the going down of the asses to Oxenford, circa 1681
- Street Ballad: Ivy Green, undated
Scope and Content: Includes two copies. - Street Ballad: Jenny The Maid of the Moor, undated
Publisher: J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials - Street Ballad: John the Miller, undated
- Street Ballad: The Jolly Driver, undated
- Street Ballad: Jonathan Brown, undated
- Street Ballad: Ladies Bustle, undated
- Street Ballad: The Ladies Reform Bill!, undated
Publisher: Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane - Street Ballad: Land of the Brave and Free, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Lannigan's Ball, undated
- Street Ballad: Last Rose of Summer, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: The Lazy Club, A popular Comic Song, undated
Author: Perry, J. R.
Historical Note: Tune: "Regent Street" - Street Ballad: Leather Breeches, undated
Historical Note: Sold by John Livsey, 43, Hanover-street, Shudehill, Manchester
Publisher: Printed by George Walker, Jun., Sadler-Street, Durham - Street Ballad: Let Me Like a Soldier Fall, undated
Historical Note: Sold by H. Andrews, 27, St. Peter's St., Leeds
Publisher: J. Cadman, Printer, 152, Great Ancoats St., Manchester - Street Ballad: The Light of Other Days, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Lines on the Terrible Colliery Explosion Near Barnsley, Loss of 120 Lives, undated
- Street Ballad: Lord Bateman, undated
Publisher: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials - Street Ballad: Love and Liver or Flare up Neddy, undated
Publisher: J. Wheeler, Printer, Whittle-street, Manchester - Street Ballad: Love-Sick Luby, undated
Publisher: J. Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Lovely Nancy, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Lowland Queen, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: The Maid of Erin's Isle, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Maid of Llangollen, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer, Manchester - Street Ballad: Mally, undated
Author: Bealey, R. R.
Publisher: E. Hobson and Son, Printers, "Reporter" Office, Ashton-Under-Lyne and Stalybridge - Street Ballad: The Man that is Married, undated
Publisher: Wheeler, Printer - Street Ballad: March of Intellect In the Butchering Line, undated
- Street Ballad: Maria, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: Maurice & his Father, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer, Manchester - Street Ballad: The Men of Sixty-Nine, undated
Historical Note: Tune: "Auld Lang Syne" - Street Ballad: Merry Bells of England, undated
Historical Note: Sold by H. Andrews St. Peter-Street, Leeds
Publisher: Bebbington, Printer, 22, Goulden-Street Oldham-Road, Manchester
Scope and Content: Includes two copies. - Street Ballad: Monaghan Discussion, undated
- Street Ballad: Mother Teasel's Pudding; Black Eyed Susan, undated
Publisher: [illegible] Printer, 22, Brick-lane, [Spitalfield?] - Street Ballad: The Murder at Sibsey, in Lincolnshire, undated
Publisher: London: Printed and Published at Taylor's Song Mart, 93, Brick Lane, Bethnal Green, (near the Railway Arch). Hawkers and the Trade Supplied - Street Ballad: My Erin, Oh!; Jemmy o'er the Lee, undated
Publisher: Swindells, Printer - Street Ballad: My gallopping's all at an end, undated
Publisher: Printed for W. Armstrong, Banastre-st. - Street Ballad: My Native Highland Home, undated
Publisher: