24 books
—
6 voters
Ballads
“
Scotland's contribution to American balladry is a subject which was either glossed over or neglected entirely by Cecil Sharp, the English folklorist and ballad collector, when he came over to the United States in search of traditional song poetry. Over here we are indebted to Sharp and to Miss Maud Karpeles for exploring the back country and helping us find what we had. Their visits were fruitful and their English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians is an exemplary work. But it is regretta
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― Saltire Review 20, Spring 1960
― Saltire Review 20, Spring 1960
“
Folk-tales and ballads conceive of Elfland with a different notion of time to our own. Its people mirror the activities of our world as if to mock or distort them, and to our eyes seem immortal. They affect our world, bringing benefit or harm, but these results are not consonant with our rules, and may resemble the arbitrary operation of luck or chance. Although men may interact with these folk, they can neither understand nor trust them.
The Border Ballads in general are ready to accommodate s
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― The Great Shadow House: Essays on the Metaphysical Tradition in Scottish Fiction
― The Great Shadow House: Essays on the Metaphysical Tradition in Scottish Fiction












































