Broadside ballad entitled 'The Liggar Lady' and 'Arthur's Seat'

Commentary

The first ballad begins: 'I Will away, and I will not tarry, / I will away with a Sojer Laddy, / I'll mount my Baggage and make it ready, / I will away with a Sojer Laddy.' The text preceding it reads: 'THE / LIGGAR LADY, / OR, THE / LADIES LOVE / TO A / SOLDIER. / To the Tune, of Mount the Baggage, &c.'

The second ballad begins: 'Come lay me soft, and draw me near, / and lay thy white hand over me, / For I am starving in the cold, / and thou art bound to cover me.' The text preceding it reads: 'ARTHUR'S-SEAT / Shall be my BED, &c. / OR / LOVE IN DESPAIR / A New Song much in Request, / Sung with its own proper Tune.'

Both these ballads are typical folk songs of their day. They are concerned with love, love-crossed and courtship. These themes would have been instantly recognisable to many in the audience and this is one of the appeals of this type of song. The tunes have not been detailed which suggests, again, that they would have been well-known. This indicates the popularity of this form of entertainment in society.

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