Overview
Victorian Songhunters is a pioneering history of the rediscovery of vernacular song—street songs that have entered oral tradition and have been passed from generation to generation—in England during the late Georgian and Victorian eras. In the nineteenth century there were four main types of vernacular song: ballads, folk lyrics, occupational songs, and national songs. The discovery, collecting, editing, and publishing of all four varieties are examined in the book, and over seventy-five selected examples are given for illustrative purposes. Key concepts, such as traditional balladry, broadside balladry, folksong, and national song, are analyzed, as well as the complicated relationship between print and oral tradition and the different methodological approaches to ballad and song editing. Organized chronologically, Victorian Songhunters sketches the history of English song collecting from its beginnings in the mid-seventeenth century; focuses on the work of important individual collectors and editors, such as William Chappell, Francis J. Child, and John Broadwood; examines the growth of regional collecting in various counties throughout England; and demonstrates the considerable efforts of two important Victorian institutions, the Percy Society and its successor, the Ballad Society. The appendixes contain discussions on interpreting songs, an assessment of relevant secondary sources, and a bibliography and alphabetical song list. Author E. David Gregory provides a solid foundation for the scholarly study of balladry and folksong, and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Victorian intellectual and cultural life.
Full Product Details
Author: E. David Gregory
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Imprint: Scarecrow Press
Dimensions:
Width: 21.80cm
, Height: 3.10cm
, Length: 28.00cm
Weight: 1.288kg
ISBN: 9780810857032
ISBN 10: 0810857030
Pages: 458
Publication Date: 13 April 2006
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Professor Gregory achieves something commendable with Victorian Songhunters; he has written a readable scholarly book. Although this is densely written, Gregory has structured the book in such an orderly manner that the reader can read it cover to cover or read selectively without losing track of the narrative trajectory. Dirty Linen, No. 128 (February/March 2007) This is an excellent resource and a fascinating insight into 63 crucial years in the history of English (and some Scottish) song collecting. Penguin Eggs Magazine A welcome addition to the literature of song-hunting, and it will be widely consulted. Folk Music Journal The book gives good coverage of the trend during this period from exclusive attention to the lyrics towards a realisation of the importance of collecting melodies as well...The background and context for the core material of the book is well covered. Canadian Folk Music, Summer 2008 For general readers, Gregory (history and humanities, Athabasca U., Canada) presents the history of the recovery and popularization of English traditional song during the 19th century. He begins with a discussion of early collectors up to the 19th century, and moves on to chapters on the Romantics who collected songs, such as Thomas Percy, Thomas Evans, Joseph Ritson, and others; national and regional song collectors, including William Kitchiner, Davies Gilbert, and William Chappell; members of the Percy society; commercial song publishing by those like John Broadwood and Francis Child; the resurrection and repackaging of old pop songs; ballad editing; the Ballad Society; and the late Victorian folksong revival. The appendices include a discussion of interpretation and an alphabetical listing of songs. Texts and musical examples are incorporated. Reference and Research Book News, August 2006
Professor Gregory achieves something commendable with Victorian Songhunters; he has written a readable scholarly book. Although this is densely written, Gregory has structured the book in such an orderly manner that the reader can read it cover to cover or read selectively without losing track of the narrative trajectory. * Dirty Linen, No. 128 (February/March 2007) * This is an excellent resource and a fascinating insight into 63 crucial years in the history of English (and some Scottish) song collecting. * Penguin Eggs Magazine * A welcome addition to the literature of song-hunting, and it will be widely consulted. * Folk Music Journal * The book gives good coverage of the trend during this period from exclusive attention to the lyrics towards a realisation of the importance of collecting melodies as well....The background and context for the core material of the book is well covered. * Canadian Folk Music, Summer 2008 * For general readers, Gregory (history and humanities, Athabasca U., Canada) presents the history of the recovery and popularization of English traditional song during the 19th century. He begins with a discussion of early collectors up to the 19th century, and moves on to chapters on the Romantics who collected songs, such as Thomas Percy, Thomas Evans, Joseph Ritson, and others; national and regional song collectors, including William Kitchiner, Davies Gilbert, and William Chappell; members of the Percy society; commercial song publishing by those like John Broadwood and Francis Child; the resurrection and repackaging of old pop songs; ballad editing; the Ballad Society; and the late Victorian folksong revival. The appendices include a discussion of interpretation and an alphabetical listing of songs. Texts and musical examples are incorporated. * Reference and Research Book News, August 2006 * Professor Gregory achieves something commendable with Victorian Songhunters; he has written a readable scholarly book. Although this is densely written, Gregory has structured the book in such an orderly manner that the reader can read it cover to cover or read selectively without losing track of the narrative trajectory. Dirty Linen, No. 128 (February/March 2007) This is an excellent resource and a fascinating insight into 63 crucial years in the history of English (and some Scottish) song collecting. Penguin Eggs Magazine A welcome addition to the literature of song-hunting, and it will be widely consulted. Folk Music Journal The book gives good coverage of the trend during this period from exclusive attention to the lyrics towards a realisation of the importance of collecting melodies as well...The background and context for the core material of the book is well covered. Canadian Folk Music, Summer 2008 For general readers, Gregory (history and humanities, Athabasca U., Canada) presents the history of the recovery and popularization of English traditional song during the 19th century. He begins with a discussion of early collectors up to the 19th century, and moves on to chapters on the Romantics who collected songs, such as Thomas Percy, Thomas Evans, Joseph Ritson, and others; national and regional song collectors, including William Kitchiner, Davies Gilbert, and William Chappell; members of the Percy society; commercial song publishing by those like John Broadwood and Francis Child; the resurrection and repackaging of old pop songs; ballad editing; the Ballad Society; and the late Victorian folksong revival. The appendices include a discussion of interpretation and an alphabetical listing of songs. Texts and musical examples are incorporated. Reference and Research Book News, August 2006
Author Information
Dr. E. David Gregory is associate professor of history and humanities at Athabasca University in Northern Alberta, Canada. He is a former president of the Folklore Studies Association of Canada, and has authored many articles on folk songs and revivals.
