Lovers & Rakes and Rogues - A New Garner of Love-songs and Merry Verses 1500-1830

The love songs and merry verses of past centuries are the most directly appealing part of Britain's lyrical heritage. But much of this lively, often bawdy, material has been left in obscurity, even though the barriers of prudery no longer prevail.

The author has searched the surviving hoards of this largely anonymous verse and has garnered nearly 330 items. Many of them have not appeared in print for two centuries or more. Some are from rare manuscripts and have never been in print.

They are the creation of all classes, from the court and the theatres down to the taverns and the haunts of criminals. With wit, robust humour, passion and pathos, they illuminate 250 years of British life, from Shakespeare's time to the eve of Queen Victoria. They are a rich source of the evolving language as it was spoken and sung (with contributions from Scotland and Ireland)

366 pages. Black and white illustrations.