Bawdy Ballads by Ed Cray

A Raucous Romp Through Folk Song History

272 pages, Hardcover

26cm x 18cm

First Edition 1970 (Copyright 1969)

Condition: Very Good (Has very small/minor signs of wear). There no markings, inscriptions or signatures of any kind, pages are clean and vibrant. 

Bawdy Ballads by Ed Cray, a fascinating first edition from 1970, dives headfirst into the often-hidden, yet undeniably vibrant, world of risqué and explicit folk songs. This isn't your grandmother's hymnal; it's a scholarly yet thoroughly entertaining collection that unearths the unvarnished, humorous, and sometimes shocking lyrical traditions that thrived in defiance of societal norms.

Cray, a folklorist, meticulously gathers and presents songs that, for generations, were passed down orally but rarely committed to print due to their taboo subjects. From drinking songs and soldier's ditties to uninhibited tales of love, lust, and rebellion, the book provides a unique window into the less polite corners of human expression. Beyond just the lyrics, Cray offers rich historical context and insightful commentary for each ballad, exploring their origins, variations, and the social environments that spawned them. He reveals how these "bawdy" songs served as a form of social commentary, a release for frustrations, or simply a source of entertainment in less restrained times.

Bawdy Ballads is more than just a compendium of explicit verse; it's a significant contribution to the study of folklore, celebrating the raw, uncensored voice of common people and reminding us that human nature, in all its colorful aspects, has always found a way to sing its truths.