The Traditional Ballad Index:

An Annotated Bibliography of the Folk Songs
of the English-Speaking World.

Quick Links: Online Index * Bibliography * Discography * What's New

Welcome

The Traditional Ballad Index is a collaborative effort designed to help people find reference information on folk ballads. It is not itself a source of song texts or of discussion of ballads, although it contains some summary information.

The current version of the Ballad Index, as of June 15, 2007, is 2.2. We expect to release new versions regularly. Click here for a list of features new in this version.

There is a searchable version online for casual use. If you wish to keep a copy on your home computer, you can download ASCII or HTML versions. Software is also available to search the ASCII version. But be warned: The ASCII version is now about 9 megabytes; the HTML version is around 11 MB. The HTML version is recommended only for those who can set aside at least 20 MB of RAM for a browser. If you use Netscape browsers to view the HTML version, we recommend using Navigator rather than Communicator; the extra features are not needed for the Index. In addition, Navigator seems better able to load these large files than is Internet Explorer. The editors' experience is that FireFox is by far the most effective browser for viewing the Index.

If you expect to use the Ballad Index heavily, we suggest that you download the appropriate software for your computer. The Ballad Index software allows you to conduct more complex searches than the online version, and save the results in more convenient form.

Please note: The Traditional Ballad Index is a catalog of traditional song. It contains descriptions of, and sometimes quotes, these songs, many of which have so-called adult themes and some of which use rather coarse language. If you are offended by these things, you should stop here. (On the other hand, if you are looking for such things, go somewhere else; there won't be enough to keep you interested.)

Here you can proceed to:

Instructions for Use: Find out how the Index is constructed, how to conduct effective searches, and how to make your own contribution to this on-going effort.
The Traditional Ballad Index on-line: A searchable index that allows you to enter keywords to find a ballad. Only works with forms-compatible browsers. Includes brief instructions.
The Ballad Index Articles: The Ballad Index contains many entries with substantial notes, describing the background or history of the songs involved. This link leads to a list of the songs with the most important and/or original notes.

Here are files you can download:

The Traditional Ballad Index Text files:: This is the smallest format, usable on the widest variety of programs. However, cross-references will not work unless you use the Ballad Index software.
The Ballad Index (Standard ASCII) in gzip format for UNIX machines and OS X Macintoshes: Usable on any system that handles 7 bit ASCII, but recommended for unix machines (including new Macintosh models). Lines are delimited by line feeds. Users of OS X Macintoshes should use this version, especially if they wish to use the Ballad Index software.
The Ballad Index (Standard ASCII) in ZIP format for PC Clones: Usable on any system that handles 7 bit ASCII, but recommended for IBM PCs. Note: There are no line breaks within paragraphs. (If that doesn't mean anything to you, don't worry about it; your word processor probably can handle it.)
The Ballad Index (Macintosh ASCII) for classic Macs: Uses carriage returns (only) to delimit lines. Requires a binhex decoder such as StuffIt Expander to decompress. For use ONLY on Macintoshes using OS 10.2 or lower.

The Ballad Index HTML files:: The Ballad Index is available as a large HTML file, allowing you to view the entire formatted document at one time. However, this file is so large (now over 9 MB) that we cannot recommend on-line viewing. You should download the file, decompress it, and view it by opening it in your browser. Also, you should only open the file if your system has the resources to handle it. You will need a utility capable of expanding ZIP format files.
Download the Ballad Index in HTML (ZIP format)

The Supplemental Tradition Text File:: The Supplemental Tradition consists of full or partial texts of a subset of the songs cited in the Ballad Index. You can download this file to look up certain Ballad Index texts. The Supplemental Tradition is offered only as a ZIP file in IBM PC format; Macintosh users can use StuffIt Expander to open it or can download the HTML file below.
Download The Supplemental Tradition Text File (ZIP format) for PCs
Download The Supplemental Tradition Text File (gzip format) for unix and Macintosh OS X computers
You can also view the Supplemental Tradition online as an HTML file. Click here to see the Supplemental Tradition online.

Software:: Please read the instructions for your particular operating system before downloading the Ballad Index software! Also note that you will have to load the text version of the Ballad Index (and the Supplemental Tradition, if desired) for the software to work.
Macintosh: Click here to go to the Ballad Index Macintosh Software page
IBM PC Family (DOS or Windows): Click here to go to the Ballad Index IBM PC Software page
Unix-based Oses (including Linux): Click here to go to the Ballad Index Unix Software page

You may also view the bibliography of books included in the Ballad Index or discography of indexed recordings.

The current editor of the Ballad Index is Robert B. (Bob) Waltz. You can contact me electronically at <waltzmn@skypoint.com>. The assistant editor is David G. Engle of California State University, Fresno, <david_engle@csufresno.edu>. However, we must ask that you not contact us with requests for additional information about songs. We've done all we can to put everything we know into the Index, and in any case we can't possibly handle every question that comes in. If you send us questions, we will probably reply with a form letter. You can look here for other sources of information.

The Ballad Index is made available free of charge to all who wish to use it. However, the editors retain all rights. In particular, you may not reproduce or print this document without the Editor's permission. You may not charge to reproduce this index except for nominal charges to cover the cost of copying. Commercial use is prohibited, as is modification without the express consent of the Editors.

Let's put it another way: We worked hard to make this Index available to you free of charge. Don't violate our trust by stealing it, adding your own name to it, or selling it.

Our thanks to California State University, Fresno, Folklore for providing us room at this site.