Old Time Songs and Ballads - Junior Book 1

This book, from the S&S Series of Historic British Songs was arranged and annotated by R Dunstan Mus. Doc. Cantab., and C E Byott, and published by Schofield and Sims Ltd of London.  There is no publication date given on the book, but the introduction is dated May 1932.

The listing below is based on the Harmonised Edition.  It includes 19 English-language songs, chosen from "an extensive collection of old Ballad-Operas and Song books now in the possession of Dr Dunstan"  - many of which have not been in print for over 100 years.

The book is now out-of-print, and copies would only rarely be available.


About the contents listing

Composer, author and copyright ownership are shown as they are recorded in the book - and this information is sparse.    However it is reasonable to assume that the lyrics are all in the public domain, and that mechanical copyright on the book itself has long-since expired.     Some of the arrangements were made by Dr Dunstan, so may still be copyright depending on the date of his death and the legal situation in your country.


Table of Contents


Title (first-line) Number
Babes in the Wood, the 6
My dears you must know that a long time ago / Poor babes in the wood, poor babes in the wood
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
A simplified modern version of 'The Children in the Wood', a ballad from 1595 which was sometimes called 'Now Ponder Well'.
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray 8
Now Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, they war 'two bonny lasses
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Melody line for the original tune, Piano score for a simpler one
Number of verses: 2
The original tune is from 'The Musical Miscellany', Perth 1786.
Christmas Comes but Once a Year 9
O'er the air so clear and frosty, swells a gladd'ning sound:
Lyrics by: Not stated © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
Words from a broadsheet publsihed by Woolcock, Helston and Cornwall in about 1850-1860. The tune is adapted from phrases on an early 18th century English tune.
Dame Wiggins of Lee 10
Dame Wiggins of Lee was as worthy as soul as e'er threaded a needle or washed in a bowl;
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 8
The melody is a modified form of 'Gee Ho Dobbin', and old English air: a revival hymn 'Lion of Judah' set to this tune was popular in the 1860-70s.
Fox, The 12
The fox jumped up on a cold, clear night.
Lyrics by:
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 7
Sometimes sung to the first portion of JOHN PEEL.
Hark the Bonny Christchurch Bells 14
Hark the bonny Christchurch bells, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Melody line + piano score
Number of verses: 3
Words adapted from an 18th century round by Dr Henry Aldrich (1647-1710)
Hey Robin Jolly Robin 16
Hey robin, jolly robin / Where does thy sweet lady go?
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 6
Words adapted from an original song in Percy's 'Reliques of Antient Poetry'.
Hunt is Up, The 34
The hunt is up, the hunt is up, and it is well nigh day.
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 4
I Had a Little Nut Tree 18
I had a little nut tree, nothig would it bear / I skipped 'er the water, I danc'd o'er the sea
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 4
Supposedly about Queen Elizabeth.
Miller and the Maid, The 20
There was a maid went to the milking / Oh, oh ho! Oh oh ho!
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
Music probably written by William Bates - mid 18th century.
Monday's Child 21
Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace
Lyrics by: Not stated ©
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 1
Setting by R Dunstan, MUS DOC
Now Robin Lend to me Thy Bow 22
Now Robin lend to me thy bow, sweet Robin lend to me thy bow
Lyrics by: Not stated © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 6
Collected by Joseph Rison, popular at the start of Queen Elizabeth's reign (starting 1553)
Pet Lamb, The 24
The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink
Lyrics by: Wordsworth (1770-1850 © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 4
The tune is from Sungden and West's 'Training School Song Book' and probably of Irish origin.
Spider and the Fly, The 26
Will you walk into my parlour, said the spider to the fly / Will you, will you, will you, will you walk in pretty fly?
Lyrics by: Thomas Hudson (1790-1820) © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 4
Sung by Henry Russell (1812-1900), among others
Swiss Toy-Girl, The 28
I've come across the sea, I've braved every danger / Buy a little toy of poor Rose of Lucerne
Lyrics & tune by: John Barnett (1802-1900) © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 4
From 'The British Minstrel', 1845.
There was an Old Miller 30
There was an old miller who lived by himself
Lyrics by: Traditional © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
Three Children Sliding on the Ice 32
Three children sliding on the ice, on a summer's day
Lyrics by: W Sugden, approx 1850 © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
Adapted from a 17th century ballad 'The Drowning of Three Children on the Thames'
Welsh Harper, The 36
Over the sunny hills I stray / The blithe old harper call'd am I
Lyrics by: Not stated © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 3
From 'The Minstrel's Companion' 1838.
Wig, the Hat and the Cane, The 38
By the side of a murmuring stream, an elderly gentleman sat
Lyrics by: Thomas Hudson (1790-1820) © Public domain
Score: Piano score
Number of verses: 6
From the Supplement to 'The Ladies Magazine', London 1791.