MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: A BALLAD ON A BIG FISH IN THE RIVER DEE

Recently I came across this ballad on the discovery in around the mid-17th century of a 'big fish' in the river Dee, which runs out of Wales, through Cheshire and into the Wirral. It is in The Cheshire Sheaf, volume 25, October 1928:

'A Big Fish in the Dee

The recent capture of a “big fish” in the Dee has attracted so much attention that it is well to say that there is “nothing new under the son,” as will be seen by the title of the following ballad, which is in the Pepysian Collection of Cambridge (1). I performed most of the ballad at a recent meeting of the Pepys Club, but can only give a few lines here. The Broadside begins as follows: “A description of a strange (and miraculous) fish, cast upon the sands in the meads in the Hundred of Worwell in the County Palatine of Chester (or Chesshiere). The certainty whereof is here related concerning the said most monstrous fish.”

'To the tune of Bragandary

Verse 3

It is almost five yards in height,
Which is a wondrous;
O mark what marvels to our sight
Our potent Lord doth bring.

These secrets Neptune closely keeps
Within the bosom of the deeps.
O rare
Beyond compare.
In England nere the like.

Verse 13

Already sixteene tuns of Oyle
Is from this fish extracted,
And yet continually they boyle,
No season is protracted.

It cannot be imagin`d how much
`Twill yeeld,the vastness of it is such.
O rare
Beyond compare.
In England nere the like

Verse 15 (and last)

The Mariners of Chester say
A Herring-hog `tis nam`d
Whatere it be, for certaine they
That are for knowledge fam`d

Affirme,the like in ages past
Upon our coast was never cast.
O rare
beyond compare.
In England nere the like.

The Printer adds “There is a book to satisfy such as desire a larger description thereof.” I should much like to see a copy. The early spelling of Worwell for Wirral is worth noting.

In conclusion, I should add that the whole ballad is printed in Professor Rollins` valuable collection of Broadside Ballads, entitled, “A Pepysian Garland,” Cambridge Press. J.C.Bridge. (2)

1. This collection still exists,at least it did about 6-7 years ago.
2. J.C.Bridge A Big Fish in the River Dee. The Cheshire Sheaf vol.25 October 1928 p.75

Bob Dylan Desolation Row

They`re selling post cards of the hanging
They`re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlourI is full of sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They`ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the type rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad is restless
They need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight
From Desolation Row