The Bodleian Libraries have taken The Broadside Ballads Online resource offline, owing to a change in guidance within the University relating to cyber security.

The Broadside Ballads Online resource has therefore been taken offline as a precaution, in the light of the new guidance, while we develop new approaches to being able to support and deliver it.

We acknowledge how disruptive this has been to the many scholars and communities who use this resource. Alternative ways to access The Broadside Ballads Online resource are below, while we determine routes and funding to take the resource forward.

More on the background here: Bodleian Service Updates

Please contact rare.books@bodleian.ox.ac.uk with questions about the Bodleian broadside ballads collections.

Users seeking broadside ballads in Bodleian collections can access information in the following places:

A listing of each of the Bodleian collections of broadside ballads is available below. The broadside ballad items in these collections are listed in order by shelfmark, with title and first line.

Other Broadside Ballads Online resources:

  • An archived version of the Broadside Ballads Online site is available through the Internet Web Archive. Using the Collections tab on this site, users can browse through images of ballads in Bodleian collections.
  • A representation of the Broadside Ballads Online data as RDF can be downloaded from the Oxford University Research Archive.
  • The Visual Geometry Group also hosts a version of the ImageMatch tool for searching ballad illustrations.
  • The Visual Geometry Group also hosts a version of the ImageBrowse demo, an analytical tool for searching ballad illustrations.
  • The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library site hosts the Roud Index grouping ballads by folksong tradition.
  • The English Broadside Ballad Archive contains ballads from other collections.

Bodleian Curzon Collection

CollectionOrder No.ShelfmarkManifestationPrinted TitleFirst Line
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(144)b00042The Britannia in a stormMany storms our ship has weather'd"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(133)b00044SongShall Frenchmen rule o'er us? - King Edward said, No!"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(106)b00044SongShall Frenchmen rule o'er us? - King Edward said, No!"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(117)b00046The French in a fog. SongAgain of their prowess our enemies boast"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.10(117)b00046The genius of BritainYe British sons awake to glory"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(106)b00049\""Britons never will be slaves!!!\"" An address [in verse]When Rome's proud legions sought the Albion shore"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(109)b00051Britons! to arms!!! 4th edBritons, to arms! of apathy beware"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(102)b08650A king or a consul? A new songCome all ye brave Englishmen, list' to my story"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(103)b08652The Berkshire farmer's thoughts on invasion. A songSo! Bonaparte's coming, as folks seems to say"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(104)b08654English, Scots, and Irishmen. A patriotic address [in verse]English, Scots, and Irishmen"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(105)b08656Freedom or slavery. A new songThe haughty French, with malice fraught"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(110)b08658Parody, by an honest EnglishwomanRouse Britannia - dangers call thee"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(111)b08660The prophecy! Or Bonaparte killed at last by his own troops!Ye Britons, to your country true"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(112)b08662Buonaparte's answer to John Bull's card, inviting him to England [&c.]My dear Jonny Bull, the last mail"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(113)b08664Address to the people of Great BritainYe gen'rous youths who boast a Briton's name"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(114)b08666Epilogue to the new play of the Maid of BristolIn times like these, the sailor of our play"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(13)b08668A relish for Old Nick. Song, on the threatened invasionArm neighbours at length"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(115)b08668A relish for Old Nick. Song, on the threatened invasionArm neighbours at length"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(116)b08670A song for the timesOf Cressy and Agincourt, Edward and Harry"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(118)b08672Unite and conquer!While Britain's thunder on the ocean roars"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(119)b08674Bonaparte answered; or The Briton's war songBow, Britons! bow the haughty head"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.10(119)b08674Britons strike home! A new songShould Frenchmen e'er pollute Britannia's strand"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.10(119)b08674Invasion. A new songBritons! cease your long forbearing"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(120)b08678Britons' defiance to FranceMad with the plunder of the world"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.10(120)b08678Britons unconquerable! A new songAfraid of the French! and afraid of invasion!"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.10(120)b08678John Bull's invitation to Bonaparte. A new songThe Chief consul declares that to England he'll come"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(129)b08682Song, to the tune of Mother CaseyThe French, tis said"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(130)b08684The ploughman's ditty: being an answer to that foolish question, \""What have the poor to lose?\""Because I'm but poor"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.10(130)b08684The island of Britain. A loyal song - 1803My friends, ye have heard, in the late British wars"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.10(130)b08684New God save the kingSound trumpets, beat your drums"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(131)b08688Britannia's charge to the sons of freedomThe tyrant for destruction eager burns"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(132)b08690SongBy the moon's uncertain light"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.10(132)b08690The ploughman's ditty, being an answer to that foolish question, \""What have the poor to lose?\""Because I'm but poor"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(134)b08693The British oak. A songThe gods and the goddesses once were inclin'd"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(135)b08695OdeHigh where you rock aspiring towers"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(136)b08697Master Boney's hearty welcome to England. 3rd ed., with alterations, revised and correctedShould Boney come hither, the grave-ones they say"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(137)b08699Buonaparte; a song, printed by order of the Stanmore associationCome, I'll sing you a song, just for want of some other"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(138)b08701Conquer or die. A new songRouse, Britons, arouse! from your slumber awake!"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(139)b08703Song. The invasionCome listen every lord and lady"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(140)b08705The foe of mankindThe foe of mankind hath declar'd his resolve"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(141)b08707Britons to arms, or Threat of invasionFrance has threaten'd invasion, we all of us know"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(142)b08709The wonder of wonders, or The invasionInvasion's a wonderful thing"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(143)b08711Buonaparte and Talleyrand; or The French invasionSaid Buonaparte to Talleyrand"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(145)b08713The volunteer; a song, written by order of the Stanmore associationThe true Briton who's staunch to the King, Church, and State"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(146)b08715Men of KentWhen Harold was invaded"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.10(147)b08717Hearts of oak, or The British empireNow the French threaten loudly - those terrible foes"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.12(3)b08719A new patriotic songNow Albion's sons are rous'd to arms"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.12(50)b08721The despairing heroDespairing beside a salt stream"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.12(62)b08723Crocodile's tears: or Bonaparte's lamentation. A new songBy gar, this Johnny-Bull be a very cunning elf, sir"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.12(68)b08725A voice to Europe, Asia, Africa, America, all the world over!!!From the African shores, the Baltic, the Hague"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.12(9)b08727Harlequin's invasionLadies and gentlemen, to-day"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(18)b08729The invasionBright honor now calls each true Briton to arm"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(20)b08731The throne of our kingIts well understood that our monarch is good"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(84)b08733The son's of AlbionYou sons of Albion take up your arms"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(87)b08735Jemmy slain in the warsAbroad as I was walking for my recreation"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.17(118)b08737British raftDaddy Neptune one day to Freedom did say"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.17(98)b08739The BlanchYou Frenchmen don't boast of your fighting"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.17(99)b08741La Loire frigate; or, Yeo! Yeo!Off cape Finisterre lay the king's ship La Loire"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.21(91)b08743On peaceWelcome sweet Peace! Blood-thirsty War begone!"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(110)b08745Poor but honest sodgerWhen wild wars deadly blast was blown and gentle peace returning"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(54)b08747New bellman's verses for Christmas 1803!This little Boney says he'll come"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(76)b08749A favorite song in the Farmer parodied for the present occasion by S.W.F; or The British farmer become a British soldier [&c]Ere around the huge oak that oer-shadows yon mill"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(80)b08751John Bull and Bonaparte!!When and O when does this little Boney come?"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(91)b08753A king or a consul? A new songCome all ye brave Englishmen, list' to my story"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.22(98)b08755The patriot-Briton or, England's invasionTo arms! let patriot-Britons fly"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.27(208)b08757Song on the birth of Bonaparte's son'Tis now the chief talk of the town"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.27(90)b08759Arrivee_1 en France de l'archi-duchesse Marie-Louise d'AutricheQuel astre nouveau, sur la France"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.28(221)b08761Boney and the gay lads of Paris calculating for the next triumphant entry into MoscowMaster Boney was fain, after fighting with Spain"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.31(95)b08763The budgetCome tax me this, come tax me that"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.32(64)b08765Boney's return to ParisHow changed the scene of late has been"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(150)b08767Patrick O'Neal's return from drubbing the FrenchFrom leathering and beating the Negers, ant please ye"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(161)b08769A dumpling for BuonaparteThe annals of Britain with triumphs abound"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(162)b08771Boney's total defeat, and Wellington triumphantYou've heard of a battle that's lately been won"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(188)b08773Wellington's laurelsHuzza! my brave boys, for the glorious gazette"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(189)b08775Swaggering BoneyCome all ye bold Britons, I pray lend an ear"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(190)b08777Surrender of Paris!!What changes of fortune, alas! do we see"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(191)b08779Bony's dethronementOh! here's great news do you see"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(192)b08781Britain and Wellington triumphant or The overthrow of the emperor that ran away from ElbaRejoice! rejoice! with gladest [sic] strain"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(193)b08783Boney's defeat at Waterloo. A new songOur invincible hero he trammel'd the pride"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(91)b08785The pensioner's complaintYou neighbours all listen, a story I'll tell"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.33(91)b08785Battle of Waterloo'Twas on the 18th day of June Napoleon did advance"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.35(17)b08788Deeds of bold Napoleon!Ye heroes of the day, who are lively, brave and gay"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.5(44)b08790BonaparteAll the world is a stage it's well known"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.39(197)b08790BonaparteAll the world is a stage it's well known"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.39(203)b08792The deeds of NapoleonYou heroes of the day, that are lively, brave, and gay"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.40(87)b08794Ashes of NapoleonAttend ye gallant heroes bold unto these lines I will unfold"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.40(88)b08796A dream of NapoleonOne night sad and languid I went to my bed"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.40(88)b08796The curly headed boyMy father was a farmer, and a farmer's son am I"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.41(23/1)b08799Bonaparte's disasters in Russia, a new songLet suff'ring Europe lift her head"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.41(23/2)b08801Buonaparte's courtship and marriageThe great Bonaparte, as he sat on his throne"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.41(25/1)b08803Vittoria! Or King Joe's last gunThere is a little great man, in compass small he stands"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.41(25/1)b08803Boney's last shiftNot many years ago there sprang up a little man"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.41(25/2)b08806Up with the Orange, and down with the FrenchAttention give, both great and small"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.41(25/2)b08806The cushion dance, or Paddy's description of the long trotPray lend your attention to what I shall mention"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.41(63)b08809[Remo]val of Napoleon Buonaparte's ash[es]Attend, you gallant Britons bold"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.41(63)b08809Speak of a man as you find himOh, speak of a man as we find him"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.5(144)b08812The white flag; or Boney's abdicationGreat news brother Britons our joy freely share"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.5(195)b08814Corsican droverHow chang'd the scene of late has been"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.5(206)b08816The bungling tinkers! or Congress of blockheads!Hail, most illustrious State tinkers"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.5(208)b08818John Bull in alarm; or Boney's escape, and a second deliverance of Europe. A new song to an old tuneOh! here are such wonders and wonders!"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.6(167)b08820Chanson sur la fuite glorieuse du duc de CambridgeA l'honneur autrefois constant"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.7(221)b08822The lily and the roseThou stately flower, that rear'st thy head"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(100)b29034Nelson's monument!Britons long expected great news from the fleet"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.24(100)b29034Soldier's tearUpon the hill he turn'd to take a last fond look"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.24(100)b29034Death of Nelson!Come all you gallant seamen, and give me a meeting"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.31(97)b39620The jolly soldier. A new songA soldier is a jolly blade"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(94)b59412Success to old EnglandCome cheer up my lads 'tis to glory we steer"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(95)b59414The trumpet of victory, or, Old England for everHail England old England for glory renown'd"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(96)b59416The admired song of NelsonO'er Nelson's tomb, with silent grief opprest"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(97)b59418A new song on the grand funeral procession, of the late gallant Lord Nelson, which took place the 9th and 10th of JanuaryBritons all attend"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(98)b59420[Nelso]n's glorious victoryCome all you gallant heroes and listen unto me"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.24(98)b59420Britannia's revenge for the loss of her heroBritannia musing o'er the deeds"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.24(98)b59420Nelson's victory and deathCome list you lads where'er you be"
Bodleian Curzon4Curzon b.24(98)b59420The departed heroYe sons of old Albion for valour renown'd"
Bodleian Curzon5Curzon b.24(98)b59420The damsel in tearsAs early one morning in the groves I was walking"
Bodleian Curzon6Curzon b.24(98)b59420The death of NelsonCease vain France ill manner'd railer"
Bodleian Curzon7Curzon b.24(98)b59420The orphan boyStay lady stay for mercy's sake"
Bodleian Curzon8Curzon b.24(98)b59420Chapter of victoriesSince the birth day of Britain a period long fled"
Bodleian Curzon9Curzon b.24(98)b59420When Neptune &c.When Neptune first at love's command"
Bodleian Curzon10Curzon b.24(98)b59420Nelson and victoryTom Splice was a tar in whose bosom was blended"
Bodleian Curzon11Curzon b.24(98)b59420Lord Nelson's victoryWhere now my dear Boney is your grand combin'd fleet"
Bodleian Curzon12Curzon b.24(98)b59420The great nationOf our island we've sung"
Bodleian Curzon13Curzon b.24(98)b59420Fight conquer and be freeStrike the harp sweep the strings like the Druids of old"
Bodleian Curzon14Curzon b.24(98)b59420Naval victoriesWhy I'm singing of French Dutch and Spanish Armada"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.24(99)b59435A new song on Lord Nelson's victory at CopenhagenDraw near, ye gallant seamen, while I the truth unfold"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.24(99)b59435Jack Tar's creedIf a landsman would know the true creed of a tar"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.24(99)b59435Britannia's sons at seaBritannia's sons at sea"
Bodleian Curzon4Curzon b.24(99)b59435True courageWhy, what's that to you if my eyes I'm a wiping"
Bodleian Curzon5Curzon b.24(99)b59435The watry godThe watry god, great Neptune, lay"
Bodleian Curzon6Curzon b.24(99)b59435Air, in the IndianWhen Laura's eyes and Carlo's meet"
Bodleian Curzon7Curzon b.24(99)b59435Nelson and victoryNelson the great he is the man"
Bodleian Curzon8Curzon b.24(99)b59435Rule BritanniaWhen Britons first, at heaven's command"
Bodleian Curzon9Curzon b.24(99)b59435Cheering is the voice of hopeLet the churlish spectre fly"
Bodleian Curzon10Curzon b.24(99)b59435Birmingham SallyYou pretty blooming lasses"
Bodleian Curzon11Curzon b.24(99)b59435Stag in the forestThe stag in the forest"
Bodleian Curzon12Curzon b.24(99)b59435God of jollityPleasant is the mantling bowl"
Bodleian Curzon13Curzon b.24(99)b59435Somebody, nobody, everybody and anybodyWell, here I am to tell"
Bodleian Curzon14Curzon b.24(99)b59435The marriage dayTwas on the twenty-first of June"
Bodleian Curzon15Curzon b.24(99)b59435The galley slaveO think on my fate once I freedom enjoy'd"
Bodleian Curzon16Curzon b.24(99)b59435A sequel to Galley slaveYoung Anna, as fair as the goddess of May"
Bodleian Curzon17Curzon b.24(99)b59435Widow's lamentation, for the loss of her husband slain in fighting with Lord NelsonIt was early one morning, when flowers were springing"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.16(232)b59453The ArethusaCome all you jolly sailors bold, whose hearts are made of beaten gold"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.16(233)b59455Drive on Jervis! keep moving! A song, on the defeat of the Spanish fleet, but Sir John Jervis, Feb. 1797Tis an old saying and true"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(17)b59457Hood triumphant! or, The destruction of the French fleetCome all ye loyal Britons and listen unto me"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(21)b59459On the surrender of Toulon and MarseillesWhat joyful news for England kas [sic] reach'd the British shore"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(83)b59461The light bluesIt was one Monday morning as I was going to mass"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.15(86)b59463The valiant heroYou gallant sons of Britain I pray now lend an ear"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.3(138)b59465Crazy Paul!! A new balladWhy, fair isle, in every sailor"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.14(164)b59467A new song, made upon the famous battle fought at LincellesYe Britons all, so stout and bold"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.31(93)b59469The loyal Buckinghamshire heroesCome all you good people, I pray lend an ear"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.31(94)b59471A copy of verses on the review of the British volunteers in the City and suburbs of London by his MajestyCome all you loyal Britons listen to what I say"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.31(96)b59473Hey for the life of a soldierWhen I was an infant gossips would say"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.20(17)b59475Poor JackGo patter to lubbers and swabs d'ye see"
Bodleian Curzon2Curzon b.20(17)b59475Yo heave hoMy name d'ye see's Tom Tough"
Bodleian Curzon3Curzon b.20(17)b59475Saturday night at seaTwas Saturday, the twinkling stars"
Bodleian Curzon4Curzon b.20(17)b59475The sailor's consolationSpanking Jack was so comely, so pleasant, so jolly"
Bodleian Curzon5Curzon b.20(17)b59475Naval victoriesWhy I'm singing of French, Dutch, and Spanish Armada"
Bodleian Curzon6Curzon b.20(17)b59475Smiling NanWhat should sailors do on shore?"
Bodleian Curzon7Curzon b.20(17)b59475Wives and sweethearts, or Saturday night at sea'Tis said we ven'trous dia-hards [sic]"
Bodleian Curzon8Curzon b.20(17)b59475Remember JackWhen scarce a hand-spike high"
Bodleian Curzon9Curzon b.20(17)b59475Ned that died at seaGive ear to both high and low"
Bodleian Curzon10Curzon b.20(17)b59475Duncan and victoryAgain the willing trumph of fame"
Bodleian Curzon11Curzon b.20(17)b59475Nautical philosophyI be one of those sailors who think it no lie"
Bodleian Curzon12Curzon b.20(17)b59475The voice of natureYanko he tell and he no lie"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.33(151)b59488Larre O'Brian's escape from the French conventionI've escap'd from the French convention"
Bodleian Curzon1Curzon b.17(119)b59490A salt eel for Mynheer. A new songWhy, Jack, my fine fellow, here's glorious news
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Date when website was withdrawn:
22 November 2024