Broadside ballads entitled 'Prince Charlie and his Tartan Pladdie', 'The Tinker's Wedding' and 'The Banks of Sweet Primroses'

Commentary

The first ballad begins: 'When Charlie first came to the North, / With the manly looks of a Highland laddie'. The second ballad begins: 'In June, when broom and bloom was seen, / An' brackens waved fu' fresh an' green'. The third ballad begins: 'As I walked out one midsummer's morning, / To view the fields and take the air'.

This sheet contains three songs that would have been very popular at the time of its publication. All are still known today, and 'The Banks of Sweet Primroses' in particular is a staple in the repertoires of many British folk singers. A slightly different version of 'Prince Charlie and his Tartan Pladdie' is named 'King Fareweel'. The refrain 'King fareweel, hame fareweel, / A' tae bid oor King fareweel' is omitted from the version on this broadside.

Early ballads were dramatic or humorous narrative songs derived from folk culture that predated printing. Originally perpetuated by word of mouth, many ballads survive because they were recorded on broadsides. Musical notation was rarely printed, as tunes were usually established favourites. The term 'ballad' eventually applied more broadly to any kind of topical or popular verse.

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