The English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 2 (of 5)

"The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2" by Francis James Child is a collection of folk ballads edited in the late 19th century. This volume features a rich array of traditional ballads that capture the stories and themes prevalent in English and Scottish oral literature, including tales of love, tragedy, and adventure, some of which date back to earlier centuries. The opening of this volume begins with an introduction to the compilation, discussing the sources and versions of the ballads it contains. It details the editorial effort behind presenting these songs, emphasizing the importance of preserving the originals with their various dialects and archaic forms. The first ballad featured is "The Cherry-Tree Carol," which tells a miraculous tale involving Mary and Joseph, where the miraculous bending of a cherry tree allows Mary to fulfill her desires during their flight into Egypt. Other ballads are listed with brief annotations, indicating the depth of tradition behind each song and their cultural significance, setting the stage for a wider exploration of British folklore within the subsequent pages.