Ballad, broadsheet, broadside ballad

Broadside comprising two ballads or songs printed in two columns on a single sheet that could be split down the centre to form two slip ballads. One ballad entitled 'Gog and Magog Rewarded or The King at the Bridge' set to the tune of Hearts of Oak is headed with a woodcut showing Gog & Magog rowing along the Thames. The second ballad entitled 'King William and the Citizens of London a new song upon the opening of London bridge' is headed by a woodcut representing King William and a donkey before a wooden signpost indicating the opposing directions of Hyde Park Corner and the City. Both ballads or songs refer to the opening of the new London Bridge by King William and Queen Adelaide in 1831. The verses celebrate and praise the King with lines such as 'A Free King set a people free he hates the name of slavery'. 'Our Country's free from all alarms King William Keeps us quiet,' both of which appear in the second ballad.

Broadside ballads depicting topical issues were hugely popular with Londoners. Often set to familiar music they were sung in the street, at home and in theatres. Mass printed by small back street printers such as those located around the Seven Dials area of London they were cheaply sold on the streets by hawkers and travelling pedlars.