Ballad Book

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bates, Katharine Lee, 1859-1929

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Ballad Book" by Katharine Lee Bates is a collection of traditional ballads compiled in the early 20th century, reflecting the rich oral storytelling heritage of English and Scottish literature. The volume is intended as a resource for educators and students, aiming to foster appreciation and understanding of early ballads that portray historical themes, folklore, and human emotions through vivid narratives and lyrical beauty. The opening of "Ballad Book" serves as a preface that articulates the importance of awakening a passion for poetry in students through the study of these early ballads. Bates emphasizes that these ballads not only represent the nascent forms of English literature but also resonate with the youthful spirit and emotions common to the human experience. She provides a critical framework for understanding the origins of poetry and balladry, explaining their evolution from communal traditions to printed literature while highlighting the thematic diversity present, including elements of superstition, tradition, and romance. This introductory portion sets the tone for the collection, positioning it as both an educational tool and a joyful exploration of cultural history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Introduction

Ballads of superstition: The wee wee man. Tamlane. True Thomas. The Elfin knight. Lady Isobel and the elf-knight. Tom Thumbe. Kempion. Alison Gross. The wife of Usher's Well. A lyke-wake dirge. Proud Lady Margaret. The twa sisters o' Binnorie. The demon lover. Riddles wisely expounded

Ballads of tradition: Sir Patrick Spens. The battle of Otterburne. The hunting of the Cheviot. Edom o' Gordon. Kinmont Willie. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury. Robin Hood rescuing the widow's three sons. Robin Hood and Allin a Dale. Robin Hood's death and burial

Romantic and domestic ballads: Annie of Lochroyan. Lord Thomas and Fair Annet. The banks o' Yarrow. The Douglas tragedy. Fine flowers i' the valley. The gay goss-hawk. Young Redin. Willie and May Margaret. Young Beichan. Gilderoy. Bonny Barbara Allan. The gardener. Etin the forester. Lamkin. Hugh of Lincoln. Fair Annie. The Laird o' Drum. Lizie Lindsay. Katharine Janfarie. Glenlogie. Get up and bar the door. The Lawlands o' Holland. The twa corbies. Helen of Kirconnell. Waly waly. Lord Ronald. Edward, Edward.

Credits:

Produced by Tiffany Vergon, Dave Maddock and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Reading ease score: 83.3 (6th grade). Easy to read.

Release date is 2005-04-01