Broadside ballad entitled 'Whistling Sannie'

Commentary

This ballad begins: 'The laverock mounts the airy sky, / And pours his sweetest notes on high, / They charm the wanderer's ear gaun by, / But no sae much as Sannie, O!' The chorus begins: 'Then hey for Sannie, clever chiel, / Then hoy for Sannie, famed fu' weel'.

This ballad is a tribute to 'Whistling Sannie', who could pit his tuneful talents against those of the sweetest songbirds. It is a glowing testament not only to his abilities, but also to his character.

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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