Broadside ballad entitled 'St Peter at the Gate'

Commentary

Verse 1 begins: 'St. Peter stood guard at the golden gate, / With a solemn mien and an air sedate'. It was published by David Baxter of 32 Brunswick Street, Glasgow, and would have cost a penny to buy.

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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