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Street Ballads of Victorian England collection

Special Collections and Archives

Street Ballads of Victorian England collection

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Special Collections and Archives

Street Ballads of Victorian England collection

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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:


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

  1. Street Ballad: Allen's Farewell to his Love, undated
    Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st, Oldham-rd. Manchester
  2. Street Ballad: Arab Steed; Light Bark, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  3. Street Ballad: Aw Connut Dry My Heen, Robin, undated
    Author: Scholes, John
    Publisher: Abel Heywood, 58, Oldham Street, Manchester
  4. Street Ballad: Away to the Mountain's Brow; The Bloom is on the Rye, undated
  5. 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
  6. Street Ballad: The Banished Defender, undated
    Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., off Oldham Road, Manchester
  7. Street Ballad: Banks of Sweet Dundee, undated
  8. Street Ballad: Barney Brallaghan, undated
  9. Street Ballad: Battle of the Alma, undated
    Publisher: [Bebbington], Printer, [2]6, [Goul]den-street, Oldham Road, Manchester, and sold by [remainder is unreadable]
  10. Street Ballad: Be Careful in Choosing a Wife, undated
  11. Street Ballad: The Beautiful Muff, undated
  12. Street Ballad: The Belfast Lovers, undated
    Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer & Stationer, 6, Chadderton St., Oldham Road, Manchester
  13. Street Ballad: Bessy The Sailor's Bride, undated
  14. Street Ballad: Betting Tailor of Regent St., undated
    Historical Note: Tune: "Rat Catcher's Daughter"
  15. Street Ballad: Black Flag, undated
  16. 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
  17. Street Ballad: Blow the Winds I. O., undated
  18. Street Ballad: Blue-ey'd Stranger, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  19. Street Ballad: Bob & Bet, undated
    Historical Note: Sold by J. Beaumont, Leeds
    Publisher: Printed by John Bebbington, 31, Oldham Road, Manchester
  20. Street Ballad: Bonny Black Hare; Lubin & Mary, undated
    Scope and Content: Includes two copies, one copy cut in half.
  21. Street Ballad: The Bonny Blue Jacket, undated
    Publisher: Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-ct.
  22. Street Ballad: Brave Nelson, undated
    Publisher: Harkness, Printer, Park-road, Preston
  23. Street Ballad: The Brave Old Oak, undated
    Publisher: Wheeler, Printer, No. 9 Whittle-st., Manchester
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. Street Ballad: Burns and Highland Mary, undated
  27. Street Ballad: Burns's Farewell, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  28. Street Ballad: Charity Boy, undated
  29. Street Ballad: Cheap Food Laws, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  30. Street Ballad: Chelsea Ladies Confessing Their Sins; Tapping at the Window, undated
  31. Street Ballad: Christmas, undated
    Author: Bealey, R. R.
    Publisher: John Heywood, 143, Deansgate, Manchester
  32. Street Ballad: Cigars & Cogniac, undated
    Historical Note: Sold by J. Beaumont, 176, York-street, Leeds
    Publisher: Bebbington, Printer, 26, Goulden-street, Oldham Road, Manchester
  33. Street Ballad: Clementina Clemmins, undated
    Publisher: London: H. Such, Printer & Publisher, 177, Union Street, Boro' S. E.
  34. Street Ballad: Come Back to Erin, undated
    Publisher: Pearson, Printer, Chadderton-St. Oldham-Rd. Manchester
  35. Street Ballad: Confession of Thos. Drory, undated
    Publisher: Disley, Printer, 16, Arthur-street, St. Giles's
  36. Street Ballad: The Constant Pair or, the Pretty Prentice Boy, undated
  37. Street Ballad: Contented Wife, undated
  38. 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
  39. 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"
  40. Street Ballad: Country Chap's Adventures Down a Coal Pit, undated
    Author: Wrigley, I.
    Publisher: Livsey, Printer
  41. Street Ballad: Country John, undated
  42. Street Ballad: Th' Courtin' Neet, undated
    Author: Laycock, Samuel
    Publisher: J. Higham & Co., Printers, Hamnet-street, Market Place, Hyde
  43. Street Ballad: Crafty Maid's Policy, undated
    Publisher: Pitts, Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew Street, Seven Dials
  44. 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
  45. Street Ballad: Cupid's Garden, undated
    Publisher: John Bebbington, Printer, 31 Oldham Road, Manchester
  46. Street Ballad: Curly Headed Ploughboy, undated
  47. Street Ballad: Darbee & his Dizzy, undated
    Historical Note: Tune: "Vilikins and his Dinah"
    Publisher: Rial & Co., Printers, Monmouth Court, 7 Dials
  48. Street Ballad: The Dear Irish Boy; The Bold Boatswain of Dover, undated
    Publisher: J. Harkness, Printer, 121 & 122, Church Street, Office--North Road, Preston
  49. Street Ballad: The Doctors they all are naughty; Brandy and Godfrey's Cordial, undated
  50. Street Ballad: Downfall of the Exhibition, undated
    Publisher: Disley, Printer, 16, Arthur Street, Oxford Street
  51. 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"
  52. Street Ballad: England Demands Reform: and Reform She'll Have, undated
    Historical Note: Tune: "White Cockade," "Paddingtom Omnibus"
    Publisher: Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane
  53. Street Ballad: The Englishman, Irishman, and Scotchman; or, Dearly you must pay for your mutton, undated
    Scope and Content: Includes two copies.
  54. Street Ballad: Exile of Erin, undated
    Publisher: Swindell, Printer, Manchester
  55. Street Ballad: Fair Maria, undated
    Publisher: J. Swindells, Printer, Manchester
  56. Street Ballad: Farewell Fanny Frail, undated
  57. Street Ballad: Female Rambling Sailor, undated
  58. Street Ballad: Fight between Donally & Cooper, undated
  59. Street Ballad: Five Cripples, undated
    Historical Note: The ti
    tle 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.
  60. Street Ballad: A Flare up amongst the Lambeth Guardians, undated
    Publisher: Paul Printer Great Saint Andrew Street, Bloomsbury
  61. Street Ballad: Foot Passengers Keep to the Right, undated
    Author: Laycock, Samuel
  62. Street Ballad: Fourpence H'apenny Cap, undated
    Publisher: J. Harkness, Printer, 121, Church Street, Preston
  63. Street Ballad: Freemasons, undated
    Publisher: Printed by J. Swindells
  64. Street Ballad: Freemason's Song, undated
  65. Street Ballad: Godfrey's Cordial, undated
  66. Street Ballad: Great Plum Pudding, undated
  67. Street Ballad: Have You Seen My Missus?, undated
  68. Street Ballad: Haymakers; Pretty Jane, undated
    Publisher: T. Pearson, 6, Chadderton-street, off Oldham-road, Manchester
  69. Street Ballad: Henpecked Club, undated
    Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-street, off Oldham-road, Manchester
  70. Street Ballad: The Hole in Her Stocking, undated
  71. Street Ballad: I am an Irish boy from Dublin Town I Came, undated
    Publisher: Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., off Oldham Road Manchester
  72. Street Ballad: The Illuminated Dials, undated
    Publisher: Dever, Printer, Great St. Andrew St., 7 Dials
  73. Street Ballad: I'm Going to See the Exhibition for a Shilling, undated
    Publisher: Disley, Printer, Arthur-street, Oxford-street
  74. Street Ballad: I'm Like to Be There, undated
    Scope and Content: Includes two copies.
  75. 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
  76. Street Ballad: Irish Emigrant, undated
    Publisher: T. Pearson, Printer, 6, Chadderton-st., Off Oldham Road, Manchester
  77. Street Ballad: Iter Oxoniense, or, the going down of the asses to Oxenford, circa 1681
  78. Street Ballad: Ivy Green, undated
    Scope and Content: Includes two copies.
  79. Street Ballad: Jenny The Maid of the Moor, undated
    Publisher: J. Catnach, Printer, 2 & 3, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials
  80. Street Ballad: John the Miller, undated
  81. Street Ballad: The Jolly Driver, undated
  82. Street Ballad: Jonathan Brown, undated
  83. Street Ballad: Ladies Bustle, undated
  84. Street Ballad: The Ladies Reform Bill!, undated
    Publisher: Taylor, Printer, 93, Brick Lane
  85. Street Ballad: Land of the Brave and Free, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  86. Street Ballad: Lannigan's Ball, undated
  87. Street Ballad: Last Rose of Summer, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  88. Street Ballad: The Lazy Club, A popular Comic Song, undated
    Author: Perry, J. R.
    Historical Note: Tune: "Regent Street"
  89. 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
  90. 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
  91. Street Ballad: The Light of Other Days, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  92. Street Ballad: Lines on the Terrible Colliery Explosion Near Barnsley, Loss of 120 Lives, undated
  93. Street Ballad: Lord Bateman, undated
    Publisher: Printed and Sold by J. Catnach, 2, Monmouth-Court, 7 Dials
  94. Street Ballad: Love and Liver or Flare up Neddy, undated
    Publisher: J. Wheeler, Printer, Whittle-street, Manchester
  95. Street Ballad: Love-Sick Luby, undated
    Publisher: J. Swindells, Printer
  96. Street Ballad: Lovely Nancy, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  97. Street Ballad: Lowland Queen, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  98. Street Ballad: The Maid of Erin's Isle, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  99. Street Ballad: Maid of Llangollen, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer, Manchester
  100. Street Ballad: Mally, undated
    Author: Bealey, R. R.
    Publisher: E. Hobson and Son, Printers, "Reporter" Office, Ashton-Under-Lyne and Stalybridge
  101. Street Ballad: The Man that is Married, undated
    Publisher: Wheeler, Printer
  102. Street Ballad: March of Intellect In the Butchering Line, undated
  103. Street Ballad: Maria, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  104. Street Ballad: Maurice & his Father, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer, Manchester
  105. Street Ballad: The Men of Sixty-Nine, undated
    Historical Note: Tune: "Auld Lang Syne"
  106. 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.
  107. Street Ballad: Monaghan Discussion, undated
  108. Street Ballad: Mother Teasel's Pudding; Black Eyed Susan, undated
    Publisher: [illegible] Printer, 22, Brick-lane, [Spitalfield?]
  109. 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
  110. Street Ballad: My Erin, Oh!; Jemmy o'er the Lee, undated
    Publisher: Swindells, Printer
  111. Street Ballad: My gallopping's all at an end, undated
    Publisher: Printed for W. Armstrong, Banastre-st.
  112. Street Ballad: My Native Highland Home, undated
    Publisher: