Singing the News of Death: Execution Ballads in Europe 1500-1900
Many of the ballads in this database are discussed in my forthcoming book with Oxford University Press, Singing the News of Death: Execution Ballads in Europe 1500-1900. Here are recordings of some of those ballads. They are performed by a few different singers: Jenni Hyde, Molly McKew, Hannah Sullivan and myself.
The tunes are those indicated on the ballad sheets and, in certain cases, abridged versions are performed where the songs are very long (over five minutes). As individual performances they are only one interpretation, rather than an exact replica, of how execution ballads might have sounded on the streets of Europe.
Click on the image to go to the ballad page where you can hear the recordings, and enjoy these songs of the news of death.
A looking-glass for wanton women
A song about Mary Higgs, convicted of 'committing buggery' with her dog, who was hanged alongside her.
The Brick-makers Lamentation
An execution gone wrong: four brickmakers who had pretended to execute their friend in a mock ceremony find themselves imprisoned in Newgate awaiting sentencing.
The Bloody Murtherer
James Selbee hires a prostitute, only to murder her and attempt to murder her 'nurse'. Set to 'Aim Not Too High', another name for 'Fortune my Foe'.
Anne Wallens Lamentation
Anne Wallen sings remorsefully from the stake at Smithfield where she was burned for the murder of her husband; spectators noted that it had been in self-defence.
Sir Thomas Armstrong's Farewel
Sir Thomas Armstrong was hanged and quartered at Tyburn in 1684 for his role in the Rye House Plot, which planned to assassinate King Charles II and his brother James.
A balade agaynst malycyous Sclaunderers
A response to the Thomas Cromwell ballad, which avoids questioning the King's judgment in executing him by attacking the author of the ballad instead.
Criminals Cruelty
A gang of men rob and murder a widow, a crime that appears regularly in execution ballads because widows were believed to be some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The Lady Isabella's Tragedy
A fictional execution ballad which resembles the genuine stories in many ways, but the lack of identifiable names, places and dates is the giveaway.
The Clippers execution
'Clipping' was a kind of forgery: the practice of taking small chunks of gold coins in order to melt them down and make new coins. It was considered treasonous, and these women were burned for it.
A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwel
A jubilant ballad addressing the fallen royal favourite Thomas Cromwell and delighting in his beheading.
A warning for all desperate Women
Another woman, Alice Davis, who was burned at Smithfield, London, in 1628 for the murder of her husband.
Execution of the Mannings
One of the many songs about Maria and Frederick Manning, hanged for the robbery and murder of her lover in 1849, in a case known as 'The Bermondsey Horror'.
A letter to Rome
A bitingly satirical ballad, set to a country dance tune, in which the singer invites the Pope to come to England to gather up the remains of John Felton, whose quartered body parts are displayed on the gates of the city for nailing the papal bull excommunicating Elizabeth I to the door of the Bishop of London's palace.
Damnable Practises Of three Lincolne-shire Witches
The 'Belvoir Witches', Joan Flower and her two daughters, who were convicted in 1619 of having killed children, ruined livestock and consorted with familiars.