Broadside ballad entitled 'The banks of Inverury'

Commentary

This ballad begins: 'Early one summer morning along as I did pass/On the banks of Inverury I met a bonny lass/Her hair hung o?er her shoulders and her eyes like stars did shine/On the banks of Inverury, I wish that she were mine.? There is no place or date of publication.

This ballad which is also known as ?The Banks of Inverurie? is one which remains popular in Scotland to this day. It is about a young man who sees a beautiful young woman on the ?banks of Inverury? and determines to marry her in spite of her protestations.

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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