Excerpt from Scottish Ballad Poetry

Since the days of Allan Ramsay there have been published many admirable collections of Scottish ballads. Some of these, such as the collections of Jamieson, Buchan, and Kinloch, have had for their intention the preservation of ballads or versions of ballads previously unpublished. Others, like the collections of Chambers and Aytoun, have contained avowed collations of the different versions of ballads already printed. The present volume follows another plan. Collated versions remain always unsatisfactory, the distinct character of the ballad as handed down by tradition being invariably weakened by the modern touch, and the fresh charm spoilt by the smell of the lamp. They are, besides, unnecessary, the best version in every case equalling the best collation, and more than making up by vivid strength and truth for what it may appear to lack in multiplicity of detail. A comparison has accordingly been made of all the original versions of each ballad, and in every case what has appeared to be the best version has been printed faithfully without alteration. The volume is an attempt to furnish, in authentic form, a collection of what is finest in the ballad poetry of Scotland.

Ballads by recognised poets like Henryson, James V., and Motherwell have not been included.

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