Broadside ballad entitled 'Lovely Mourin Shore'

Commentary

Verse 1 begins: 'Ye muses nine, with me combine, / And grant me some relief'. This sheet was published by James Lindsay of 11 King Street, Glasgow, which were his business premises between 1860 and 1890.

This song was published on another broadside by James Lindsay but with the address 9 King Street, Glasgow, which were his premises previous to 11 King Street, between 1852 and 1859. This would suggest that song plates were occasionally used to try and maximise profit. This song deals with emigration from Ireland to Scotland in a much more direct and open manner than many of the other songs on this theme.

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.

previous