ABSTRACT
We have included a version found in the Madden Collection of ‘The Gipsey Loddie’ for special reasons (see the note to that ballad). Most of the others are on the traditionally recognised vagaries of the married state. ‘Gee up, Gee ho!’ looks as if it is about a real-life incident, and here the ballad (unless it is a ‘cock’, which is unlikely) is serving to record an item of news as well as to celebrate the fun of it. ‘Molly Coddle’ perhaps has a certain topicality today.
