Land of Delight

Sweetheart broadside ballad of four verses entitled 'Land of Delight.' The broadside is illustrated with a handcoloured engraving depicting two sailors and a wife. The ballad compares the life of a sailor to that of a husband. It is possible the words relate to a popular song being performed in London's theatres at the time.

Broadside ballads and songs depicting the lives of sailors and soldiers were particularly popular during the Napoleonic wars as many British men left the UK to fight overseas. Often published by small back street printers in areas such as Seven Dials in Covent Garden they were sold by street sellers and travelling pedlars. The ballad writers would receive little reward from the printers for their efforts, reportedly sometimes only a few pints of ale. Illustrated broadsides such as this were often purchased for decorating the walls of homes and taverns.