Ed Cray professor at the
University of Southern California
has graciously allowed me to publish a compiled bibliography of bawdy songsters. Anyone interested in the history of bawdy songs should buy his book:
The Erotic Muse. This book is an essential reference on the study of erotic & bawdy songs current in America today.
Checklist of Chapbooks and Songbooks
April, 1998
This incomplete list was compiled as an aide-memoire by Ed Cray from G. Legman,
The Horn Book
; and Legman's bibliography "Erotic Folksongs and Ballads," in Journal of American Folklore 103 (1990) pp. 423 ff.; Alfred Rose,
Register of Erotic Books
, 2 vols.; which is essentially based upon the three volumes compiled circa 1885 by
Pisanus Fraxi
[Henry Ashbee?],
Index Librorum Prohibitorum
(Ashbee I),
Centuria Librorum Absconditorum
, (Ashbee II) and
Catena Librorum Tacendorum
(Ashbee III) ; George Speaight, Bawdy Songs of the Early Music Hall
p.13.
[Songster Collection] British Museum call mark C. 116 a 6-55. Cited in Legman, Horn Book, p. 21. Apparently not in the private case.
[Maidment 18th Century Chapbook Collection], Vol. 1 (1733-51) is in the Folger, catalogued under the first chapbook in p.13 the collection, "The Squire and Susan's Garland"; Vol. 2 (1751-84) is in the Library of Congress, Rare Books, under the heading "Chapbooks." Olson e-mail 5/5/98
Amatory Poems and Songs of the Earl of Rochester
(London: Duncombe, n.d.). Rose
Amatory Poetry or the Banquet of Bacchus and Venus
(London: n.p., 1811). Rose
______________, 15th ed. (London: Barrett, 1821). Rose
Amores Britannici
(London, 1703). Rose
Bacchanalian Magazine and Cyrpian Enchantress. The
(London: H. Lemoine, 1793). Legman, JAF (1990), p. 425.
Bagford Ballads, The
, Supplement: "The Amanda Group of Bagford Ballads," pp. 469-554 in second volume, or separately printed, J. Woodfall Ebsworth, ed. (Hertford: The Ballad Society, 1880). Legman, JAF (1990), p. 425., BL Shelfmark AC. 9928/5
Bagnio, The, "...the whole arranged by Toby Tickle" (Citery Island, 1796). Rose
Bang-Up Reciter, The.
Cited by Legman, The Horn Book, p. 21.
Bang-Up Songster, The
. Speaight, pg.13.
Black Joke, The: A Bawdy Song Book
(H. Smith [W. Dugdale] , 37 Holywell St., n.d.) Ashbee I says "two series if not more." BL Shelfmark C.116.a.40
Blowen's Cabinet of Choice Songs, The
(W. West, 57 Wych St., Strand, n.d. [ca. 1830]). Rose
Bon Ton, The [New] Magazine
, various series (1791-95, 1818-1821). Rose
Buck's Delight, The: or Love's Repository ... by Timothy Tickle Pitcher
(n.p., 1779) . Rose. Legman, The Horn Book, p. 375, says a 1783 imprint is in the Bodleian, Phi collection.
Buck's Delight, The; or Merry Companion ...by the Sons of Comus
(W. Lane, Leandenhall St., London, 1783). Rose
Buck's Delight, The
, (Printed for T. Knowles, St. Paul's 11630.a.40 Church Yard, London, n.d.). Rose 1780(?) BL Shelfmark 11630.a.40
Cabinet of Fancy, The, or Bon Ton of the Day .
.. Compiled by Timothy Tickle-Pitcher. (J. McLarn, Ship Alley, and T. Sudbury, 16 Tooley Street, London, 1790; another, J.M. Mozley & Co. Gainsborough 1792) 96pp; reprinted ca. 1857). Rose
Captain Morris's Songster
(H. Smith [W. Dugdale], 37 Holywell St., n.d. Rose
Choice Spirits Museum, The,
(London: E. Sumpter, 1756). Rose
Choyce Drollery
, Supplement, edited by J. Woodfall Ebsworth for the Ballad Society (1876). Legman, The Horn Book, p. 381, states that the bawdy songs in the original publication were removed and printed in the supplement. Olson states (4/29/98) that the reprints do not contain a supplement.
Cider Cellar Songster, The
(H. Smith [W. Dugdale], 37 Holywell St., n.d. Rose
Coal Hole Companion, The
([London]"H. Smith [Wm. Dugdale], n.d. [1830-1840], Includes the new Coal Holes songster, The Coal-Hole companion, The coal Hole companion -- third collection, The coal Hole companion -- Fourth collection. Rose.
Cockatoo's Note Book, The
(London: William West, date?) Rose
Cockchafer, The
(London: William West, 1856). Rose, Speaight
Collection of Songs by the Inimitable Capt. Morris
, (London, 1786). Rose
Comic Songster and Gentleman's Private Cabinet Comic Songster, The
( London; Wm. West, n.d.). Rose, Speaight
Court of Venus, The: A Collection of Songs of Love
(n.p., n.d., ca. 1560) Rose (Huntington PR 1205 C6 1955?)
Covent Garden Drollery
, collected by A.B. [Aphra Behn] (London: 1672; reprinted London: Fortune Press, 1927); 2nd impression with additions (London: J. Magnes, 1672; reprint London: George Thorn-Drury, 1928). Legman, Biblio, p. 437.
Covent Garden Repository. Legman, The Horn Book, p. 375.
Cremone. The: A Magazine of Wit (London: Cheyne Walk, No. 1 dated January, 1851, but actually August, 1882) . Rose
Crim. Con. Gazette, The (London; E. Elliott), 18 numbers from Nov. 20, 1830-April 30, 1831. After seventh issue title was changed to Bon Ton Gazette. Rose
Cripps' Monthly (New York: George H. Rowles, 1876-77). Rose
Cuckold's Chronicle, The
(London: H. Lemoin, 1793) . Rose
Cuckold's Nest of Choice Songs, The
(London: West, 1865[?]) . Rose. Legman, Horn Book, p. 20, states this is in the British Museum bound with three other songsters under the call-mark P.C. 31 g 20. Another group of 50 songsters is in the British Museum Library with the call-mark C.116.a.6-55, says Legman, Biblio, p. 438; Speaight
Cupid, The: A Collection of Love Songs in twelve parts
(n.p., 1736-39). Rose
Curious Songster and Funny Cabinet, The
(West, n.d. ) . Rose
Cythera's Hymnal, or Flakes from the Foreskin
(A Collection of Songs, Poems, Nursery Rhymes, Quiddities, etc., etc., never before published. pp. 85. Oxford: Printed at the University Press for the Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge, 1870, Cum Privlegio. (Date correct but imprint a forgery.) Rose; Ashbee I, Legman, Biblio, p. 438.
Day, Cyrus L., and Eleanore B, Murrie,
English Song-Books
, 1651-1702 (London: Bibiliographical Society, 1940) .
Delicious Chanter, The
(West, n.d.). Rose
Dregs of Drollery, or Old Poetry in its ragges
(London: 1660). Legman, Biblio, p. 441, states a copy is in the Huntington Library, San Marino.
Dugdale, William. "One of the most prolific publishers of bawdy books. b. Stockport, 1800, d. in House of Correction, November 11, 1868." See Ashbee I, pp. 118, 127, 135, 192. Rose
Dutchess of Portland's Garland
(Edinburgh, 1837). Edited by James Maidment from a manuscript in the Advocates Library, Edinburgh.
L'Enfer de la Bibliotheque Nationale by Guilliaume Apollinaire et al.
(1913; reprinted 1919; revised [to 1968] in Pascal Pia [J. Durand] 2 vols in 1 (Paris: Coulet et Faure: 1978). Legman, Biblio, p. 442.
Female Fireships, The — A Satyre Against Whoring
(Printed for E. Richardson, London, 1691). Rose
Festival of Anacreon, The: Containing a Collection of Modern Songs Written for the Anacreontic Society, the Beef-steak and the Humbug Clubs
. 2nd ed (London: W. Holland, 1788) ; 3rd ed. (London: L. Halland, 1789); 7th ed. (London: George Peacock, n.d, but ca. 1790-91). Rose. Olson says this is in Folger.
Festival of Love, The: Or A Collection of Cytherian Poems
Procured and Selected by G--E P--E (London: M. Smith, 1770 [?]). Rose
Festival of Wit, The, or the Small Talker
(Printed for M.A. Holland...London, 1782). Rose
__________, A New Edition, with Great Additions (Printed for M. Smith, London, 1783). Rose
Flash Chaunter, The
(William West) Rose
Folly in Print, or, A Book of Rhymes
(London: 1667) . Legman, Biblio, p. 444.
Foundling Hospital of Wit
, 4 vols. (London: 1743-49). Rose. Legman, Biblio, p. 445, says it is in seven parts and was edited by Sir Charles Hanbury-Williams. BL Shelfmark 1076.m.25
Frisky Muse, The
, By Rigdum Funidos [pseudo.] (For the author, 1076.m.25 London, 1749) , 56 pp. Rose, Legman, Biblio, p. 445, states there is a copy in the British Museum. Another London: West Smithfield, 1770[?]
Frisky Songster, The: A Bawdy Song Book
(London: H. Smith [Wm. Dugdale]). Rose. Legman, Biblio, p. 445, states, "The essential erotic folksong collection in English of the late 18th Century." 11621.e.2.(9.) another London:West Smithfild, 1770[?]
Frisky Vocalist, The: A Bawdy Song Book
(London: William West 1836[?]) C.116.a.8 Rose.
Gentleman's Amorous Reciter, The
(London: William West). Ashbee I.
Gentleman's Curious Reciter, The (London: William West). Rose.
Gentleman's Sanctum Sanctorum, The (London: William West). Rose.
Gentleman's Spicey Songster, The (London: William West). Rose. Gentleman's Steeple Chaser, The (London: William West) Rose.
Gentleman's Sparkling Songster, The
(London: William West) Rose.
Hall-Stevenson, John, Crazy Tales (1762, reprinted London, 1894). Legman, "Bibliography," p. 449.
Hamilton, Thomas, the 6th Earl of H...[Haddington,],
Select Poems in the Lascivious Taste
(London, 1787) . Another edition 1783. Rose.
__________, Monstrous Good Things! Humorous Tales in Verse for the Amusement of Leisure Minutes
(London [?]: Mulbery Hill, Printed at Crazy Castle, 1785). Rose.
__________, Select Poems on Several Occasions by the Earl of Harrington
[sic] (London, 1824; reprinted, 1883). Rose. Legman, "Bibliography," p. 449, says "many reprints."
Haut-Ton Herald, The
(London: Mitford, n.d.). Rose.
Honest Fellow, The, or Reveller's Memorandum Book. . . A Collection of Such Jocular Songs Now in Vogue
, by Bumper Allnight [London, 1790], 228 pp.]. Legman, Biblio, p.452, says a copy is in the W.N.H Harding Collection in the Bodleian; and another in the British Museum, PC.906. BL Shelfmark P.C.31.g.28.
Hotten, John Camden
Icky-Wicky Songster, The
(London: William West). Ashbee I. Speaight
Jyl of Brentford's Testament,
by Robert Copland, edited by F. J. Furnivall) London: Printed for the Ballad Society, Vol. 7A (1871), 44 pp. Legman, "Bibliography," p. 455, states there is a copy in the New York Public Library, 8-NCK.) "A Talk of Ten Wives" is included.
Jolly Companion, The
(London: H. Smith [Wm. Dugdale]) Ashbee I.
Kele, Richard, Carolles Newly Imprinted
(London: ca. 1550) . Legman, "Bibliography," p. 455.
Kennedy, X.J., Tygers of Wrath
(Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press, 1981) . Legman, "Bibliography," p. 455.
Kick Him, Jenny: A Tale in Verse
(London: W. France, 1737) .Legman, "Biblio," p. 456, gives a British Museum [?] cal number, PC 956.
Kinloch,George "Burlesque and Jocular Ballads and Songs," ms. in Harvard University Library, 25242.12, according to Legman, "Biblio," p. 456.
[Klinefelter, Walter] ,"Preface to and Unprintable Opus" by Pedro Pococampo [pseudo.] Legman, "Bibilio," p.456, States a copy is in the NYPL: *K, which may be a collection, or a call number.
Knowing Chaunter and Kiddy's Cabinet, The
(London: William West) Rose.
Labern, John, Labern's New Comic Song Book
(London: John Duncombe and Co., 17 Holburn Hill, n.d.). Rose.
__________, Labern's New Funny Song Book
(London: John Duncombe and Co.) Rose.
__________, Labern's Original Comic Song Book
: Written by John Labern (London: John Buncombe and Co.) Rose.
__________, Labern's Own Comic Song Book
(London: John Buncombe and Co.). Rose.
__________, Labern's Popular Comic Song Book
(London: John Buncombe and Co.). Rose.
Ladies' Tell Tale, The: or Decameron of Pleasure
(London, ca. 1830; reissued ca. 1863-65 by Wm. Dugdale). Rose.
Libertine's Songster, The
(William West). Rose.
Luscious Songster, The
(William West). Speaight.
Lyre of Lord Byron, The
("Scotland: B. McVitta," 1840) . Legman, "Biblio," p. 463.
Maiden Lane Companion, The
(William West). Rose. Maiden Lane Songster, The (William West). Rose.
Maidment, James,
The Dutchess of Portsmouth's Garland
(Edinburgh: Maidment, 1837). Legman, "Biblio," p. 464.
Man of Pleasures Song Book
(London: Mitford, n.d.). Rose.
McAtee, Waldo Lee, "Grant County, Indian, Speech and Song" (privately printed, 1946), especially Supplements 1, 2 and 4. Legman, "Biblio," p. 466, says copies are in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, with the "MacAtee Manuscripts."
McCosh, Sandra, Children's Humour
(London: Panther/Granata, 1979). Legman, "Biblio," p. 466.
Merry Drollery Compleat
(Various editions 1661, 1670, 1691; reprint ed., Boston, Lincolnshire: Robert Roberts, 1875, with notes by J.W. Ebsworth) . Rose. Legman, "Biblio," p. 467, confirms.
Merry Musician, The, or A Cure for the Spleen
(London: 1716). Legman, "Biblio," p. 468, states this is a rival to Pills to Purge Melancholy.
Merry Muses, The
(Dublin, 1832, edition reprinted London by John Camden Hotten, 1872, with the date "1827" [sic]). Legman, The Horn Book, p. 380.
Mock Songs and Joking Poems
(London: W. Birtch, 1675) .
Legman, "Biblio," p. 469, says copies are in the NYPL and the British Museum's Thomason Collection.
Montgomerie, William, "A Bibliography of the Scottish Ballad Manuscripts, 1730-1825," in Studies in Scottish Literature 4 (1966), pp. 3-28. Legman, "Biblio," p. 469, states this has "numerous Scottish folksong collections not published because of the eroticism of their contents."
Morris, Charles,
A Complete Collection of Songs,
9th ed. (London, 1788). Legman, "Biblio," p. 469, says a copy is in the British Museum with other editions at PC. 1289-1291.
___________,
The Festival of Anacreon
, 9th ed. (London, 1788) . Another edition London: Ridgeway, 1788. A third edition London, 1800. Rose. Legman, "Biblio," p. 469.
Museum Delicia, or The Muses Recreation
, [edited by Sir Jophn Mennis and Dr. James Smith] (London, 1655; 2nd ed., 1656; reprinted, London, 1873-74), 2 vols. The reprint contains the same editors' Wit Restor'd (1658) and Wits' Recreations (1640). Legman, "Biblio," p. 470.
Musical Miscellany, The
, 6 vols. (London: 1729-31). A rival to Pills to Purge Melancholy. Legman, "Biblio," p. 471.
Nancy Dawson's Cabinet (William West, n.d.). Rose.
New Academy of Complements...Compiled by the Most Refined Wits of this Age
(London: Samuel Speed, 1669; reprint 1671) Legman, "Biblio," p. 471, cautions against books with a similar title. This edition is "an important early anthology of folksongs."
New Codalorum(sp?) Songster. Speaight,
New Frisky Songster
, by Peregrine Penis (London?, 1794) . Legman, "Biblio," p. 471.
New London Ramblers Magazine Rose.
Nobby Songster, The
(William West). Rose.
O'Brien's Lusorum, Being a Collection of Convivial Songs,.. (London: various booksellers, 1782). Rose.
Pinder of Wakefield.
The: A Pill fit to Purge Melancholy,
edited by E. A. Horsman (Liverpool University Press, 1956; a reprint of the London, 1632, edition. Legman, "Biblio," p. 477, states this contains "Various outspoken folksongs."
Place, Francis (c. 1826-30), "Collections Relating to Manners and Morals" (British Museum Library, Additional MSS 27,825, with binding title "Place Papers.") See especially Vo,l, Parts A, and B (grossness: songs), according to Legman, "Biblio," p. 477.
Quizzical Gazette, and Merry Companion. The
(London: T. Major, later Elliott's Literary Salon, August 27, 1831, to January 14, 1832). Rose.
Rakish Rhymster, The, or Fancy Man's Own Songster, one of a series in Cupid's Own Library
. Rose. Legman, "Biblio," p. 480, states no copy known, but it was reprinted by Charles Carrington in 1917 as "Lutetia." A copy is in the Brown University Library, Legman says.
Rambler, The
(London: T. Holt, April, 1824 to January, 1825). Rose.
Rambler's Flash Songster, The
(London: William West, 1865[?]). Rose. Legman, "Biblio," p. 480, says it is bound with three other bawdy music hall songsters, "The Cuckold's Nest," "The Cockchafer" and "The Flash Chaunter," in the BM (PC 513, 456 and 717; under the single call number of PC. 31.g.20/1.
Rambler's Magazine, The
(London: n.p., 1783-1790; London: Mitford, 1828-1829 [?] Rose. (Call number 53-50678 at the Huntington).
Rambler's Magazine, The
(London: Benbow, Printer, January-December, 1882). Rose.
Randy Songster, The
(William West) Rose.
Rangers Magazine, The
(London: J. Sudbury, January-June, 1795; another combined edition [?] London: n.p., 1795). Rose.
Regular Bang-up Reciter, The
(London: William West, n.d.). Ashbee I.
Ri-tum Fi-tum Songster, The
(London: William West, n.d.) Ashbee I, Speaight
Scourge, The, or Monthly Expositor of Imposture and Folly
(London: M. Jones, January, 1811-December, 1816) . Rose. Huntington call number 121855 or Film 217E.
Secret Songster, The
(William West) Rose. Sparkling Reciter, The (William West) Rose.
Sportive Wit; The Muses Merriment
. A New Spring of Lusty Drollery, Joviall Fancies, and A la Mode Lampounes, edited by John Phillips (London: Nath. Brook, 1656) . Legman, "Biblio," pp. 491-92.
Sprightly Muse, The
(London: T. Rover, 1770). Rose.
Ticklish Minstrel, The
(William West). Rose.
Tuzzymuzzy Songster, The
(London: Wm. Dugdale, n.d.) Rose.
Wanton Warbler, The
(London: H. Smith [William Dugdale], n.d.). Rose.
Waterford Songster, The
(London: H. Smith [William Dugdale], n.d.). Rose.
Westminster Drolleries
, 2 parts (London, n.p., 1671, 1672; reprinted with an introduction by J.W. Ebsworth, Boston, Lincolnshire: R. Roberts, n.d.). Rose. The Huntington has this and other imprints.
Whores Rhetorick, The
. [Maidment, James] (Edinburgh: Reprinted at Edinburgh [Stevenson], 1836
Wilson's New Flash Songs
(London: H. Smith [Wm. Dugdale], n.d.). Rose.
Wilson's Rum Codger's Collection
(London: H. Smith [Wm. Dugdale], n.d. Rose.
Wit and Drollery. Jovial Poems.
, edited by Sir J.M[ennis] and Sir Ja. S[smith], Sir W.D., J.D., the most refined wits... (London: N. Brooks, 1656; reprinted 1682 Legman, "Biblio," p. 500.
