The Oxford Book of Ballads (Oxford Paperbacks) [Paperback]

James Kinsley (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Oxford Paperbacks | Publication Date: July 6, 1989

The ballad is the most intensely dramatic of all poetic forms and its appeal is especially enduring. This anthology of the traditional ballads of England and Scotland covers the whole range of the genre.
This anthology reminds us of several favorite ballads, such as "Tam Lin" and "The Bonny Earl of Murray," and introduces us to others that are less familiar. In all there are 150 ballads, over half of which are accompanied by their tune. James Kinsley has consulted manuscript and early printed sources to ensure that the text is as close as possible to the original singer's song.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

About the Editor: The late James Kinsley was Professor of English Literature at the University of Nottingham.

Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Reprint edition (July 6, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192813307
• ISBN-13: 978-0192813305
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,449,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tales old and haunting, December 8, 2001

By 

Kelly (Fantasy Literature) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Oxford Book of Ballads (Oxford Paperbacks) (Paperback)

I bought this book at a used bookstore when I was researching the ballad "The Cruel Sister" for a short story I was working on. Reading through it, I discovered a rich world of magic, romance, and tragedy within these old songs. From the well-known ballads like "Tam Lin" and "Thomas the Rhymer" to more obscure tales, just as affecting, there is so much here--"Kempion", the tale of a woman turned into a dragon, who can only resume her true form if the prince kisses her rather than fighting her. "Gil Brenton", the tale of a young woman trying to hide her pregnancy from her new husband--but there is something very interesting she doesn't know about her old lover's identity. And reams and reams of tragic songs of love lost.

Kinsley provides only one version of each of the ballads; some of them, in Child's original collection had twenty or more variants. But if you find one you are drawn to, you can always go to the library or search the Internet, and find the other versions. Think of Kinsley's book as a sort of overview, one that fits on your bookshelf with ease. Kinsley even provides melodies for some of the ballads whose tunes have survived. A good reference for ballad-lovers.