IX The Different Classes of Folk-Song
The folk-song that does, or did within recent years, exist is manifold in its variety. It reflects very accurately the type of thought that is, or was, current among the class who sang it. Its limits are strictly within their understanding, though now and again its commonplaces are tinged with romance. Yet this romance is not above the comprehension of the most humble and constitutes a grown-up’s fairy tale.
It tells its story or voices its sentiment in the fewest possible words, and in tragedy is almost Biblical in narrative.
A consideration of a few of its types may be useful.