The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2 (of 5)

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2, published in 1882 and edited by Francis James Child, is a collection of traditional folk ballads that reflect the oral literature of England and Scotland. This volume includes a variety of tales encompassing themes of love, tragedy, and adventure, with some ballads tracing back to earlier centuries. It opens with an introduction discussing the editorial process and the importance of preserving the original dialects and forms of the songs, starting with 'The Cherry-Tree Carol,' which narrates a miraculous event involving Mary and Joseph during their flight into Egypt.