Bab Ballads (version 2)

The Bab Ballads is a collection of light verse by W. S. Gilbert, published before his rise to fame as a librettist for Gilbert and Sullivan. Written in the late 19th century, these ballads showcase Gilbert's signature 'topsy-turvy' style, blending satire and absurdity through ridiculous premises and their logical outcomes. The work is notable for its unique humor and has influenced both his later operas and English comic verse. The title refers to Gilbert's childhood nickname, 'Bab', and features his own comic illustrations.