When exploring Brentford’s rich and exciting history during the 16th and 17th centuries, I have come across a fascinating form of communication of that time, the broadside ballad, and wondered if there were any connected to Brentford.
A broadside ballad is the text of a song printed on one side of a single sheet of paper, sometimes with a suggestion of a tune and usually they are illustrated. They can be drinking songs, patriotic songs, political songs and love songs.
They began at the start of printing at the end of the 15th century and flourished in the late 16th to the late 17th century, usually in ‘black-letter’ or Gothic script. They were carried by pedlars and sang by chaunters or ballad singers at markets, fairs, taverns and inns. They were one of the earliest vehicles of mass culture, the newspapers of their day.
Their appeal was across all social groups, although frowned upon by most of the educated classes. But some of the elite saw their value such as Samuel Pepys who had a collection of over 1,800 sixteenth- and seventeenth-century broadsides, now at the Magdalene College, Cambridge.
I’ve been searching for broadside ballads, which have referred to Brentford (Brainford/Branford) or have some connection with the town. So far, I have these:
I tell you, John Jarret, you'l breake:
or
John Jarret’s wives counsell to her husband, to have care to his estate in this hardtime, lest he turne Bankerout.
There is a good description of the John Jarret ballad on the English Broadside Ballad archive website
The reference to Brainford is in verse 8:
You haue a Bastard at Brainford to nurse, That weekly dost cost you two shillings thats worse: These things, sweet John Jarret, will empty your purse. Besides, if you still perseuer this course, I tel you.
The full text transcription is on the English Broadside Ballad archive website.
There is also a 5 minute recording of the song to the tune of ‘The Wiving Age’.
Being, An Account of a Gentleman who lay Condemn'd for the Murtherof his Friend, and pretended he could not dye till he had eas'd his Con-science, in sending for thirteen Men, to beg their Pardons, whom hehad Cuckolded at Branford.Tune of, Hide Park.
There is a description of The Penitent Gallant ballad on the English Broadside Ballad archive website.
The reference to Branford is ‘of the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.’ at the end of every verse:
There was, I must tell you, a Jocular Spark, who Rambl'd and Revel'd at pleasure, Young Women he often would kiss in the Dark, and tickle their Giggs out of measure; He being a wanton young frolicksom Blade, He was so well skill'd in the Courtezan Trade, That in seven Weeks he declar'd that he made full thirteen poor Cuckolds in Branford.
The full text translation is on the English Broadside Ballad archive website.
There is also a 5 minute recording of the song to the tune of ‘Hide Park’
The glory of Middlesex
or
the Bonny Lasse near Brainford
The reference to Branford is:
I have a love that doth excel, Near unto Branford she doth dwell, Her heart with mine is linked firm & fast, And so will be whilst life doth last, She constant is and so hath vow’d to be, Tis I love my love and she loves me.
All join in with a famous old Brainford refrain!
Go no More to Brainford
On this web page you can hear the song round.
Go no more to Brainford, unless you love a punk. For that wicked sinful town hath made me drunk, Come follow me.
If you are interested in broadside ballads there are some interesting papers written by a Brentford resident, Angela McShane.
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