The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard

"The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard" by W. S. Gilbert is a collection of humorous poems and songs written in the late 19th century. This work showcases Gilbert’s wit and parody, often exploring themes of social conventions, absurdity, and the quirks of human behavior through playful verse and clever rhymes. Readers can expect a light-hearted celebration of eccentric characters and amusing situations, typical of Gilbert's engaging style. At the start of the collection, there is an introductory note where the author provides context about the compilation of these ballads and songs. The first poem, "Captain Reece," introduces us to a good-hearted captain whose crewmates wish to make their lives more pleasant by suggesting he marry one of his female relatives. Reece humorously obliges them, promising to fulfill their wishes to ensure their happiness. The opening portion sets the stage for more whimsical tales, featuring vivid characters and comedic scenarios that will delight readers who appreciate satirical humor in poetry. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas. The most famous of these include H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and one of the most frequently performed works in the history of musical theatre, The Mikado. The popularity of these works was supported for over a century by year-round performances of them, in Britain and abroad, by the repertory company that Gilbert, Sullivan and their producer Richard D'Oyly Carte founded, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. These Savoy operas are still frequently performed in the English-speaking world and beyond.