Annotation:Have You Heard of a Frolicsome Ditty

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HAVE YOU HEARD OF A FROLICSOME DITTY. AKA - "City Ramble (The)," "Jolly Gentleman's Frolick," "Give Ear to a Frolicsome Ditty," "Rant (The)." English, Air. The air appears in John Gay's Beggar's Opera (1729) under the title "How happy could I be with either," and also appears in many other 18th century ballad operas, including Henry Fielding's Don Quixote In England (1734) and The Court Legacy (1733). Kidson (1922) dates it to the 17th century, and says a number of songs were written to it. See note for "annotation:Rant (The)" for more.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; p. 60.

Recorded sources:




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