The Book Of Scottish Ballads

A small format gift book which is a reproduction of the popular book ‘101 Scottish Songs’ published by Collins in 1962. Popularized as ‘the wee red songbook’ in Scottish folk circles, this publication was in print for 26 years.

This selection includes more than eighty of the finest ballads, together with an introduction, notes and glosses. The versions come from the last three centuries-from the time of Burns and Scott, who were among the earliest collectors, up to the present day. Although the ballads are anonymous in a way, the singers themselves determine the versions we have, by a process of selection, interpretation and refashioning. Wherever possible, this edition includes the names of the singers, many of whom were women. An internationally recognised ballad scholar, Emily Lyle is a research fellow at the School of Scottish Studies in the University of Edinburgh, and is general editor of The Grieg-Duncan Folk song Collection.

First published as The Scottish Folksinger in 1973, edited by Norman Buchan and Peter Hall, this book is a perfect introduction to the world of Scottish folk songs. Supported by the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland (TMSA). Enjoy discovering - or re-discovering - gems of the Scottish Folk tradition.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.