Broadside ballad entitled 'The Hanoverian, and Whigs Rant'

Commentary

Verse 1: 'LEt Royal GEORGE come over, / We'll have none but Hanover, / With Heart in Hand and Royal Band, / We'll welcome Him all over, / Of Royal Birth and Breeding, / And every Grace Exceeding, / Our Hearts will mourn till He Return, / Our Laws they lay a Bleeding.' This ballad was to be sung to the tune of 'Sit thee down my Philis'.

George I of Great Britain and Ireland (reign: 1714-27) succeeded to the British throne after the death of Queen Anne. A German prince of the House of Hanover, George was supported by the Whig party, which was opposed to the restoration of the deposed Stuart family to the British throne. George's German mannerisms and percived greed were widely unpopular in Britain, however. This poem, although ostensibly laudatory, in fact seems to be mocking the King with over-extravagant, insincere praise.

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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