This book investigates the historical function of popular song as a primary vehicle for expressing social sentiment and political commentary in Britain over the last four centuries. Roy Palmer, a noted historian of folk music and social history, utilizes a collection of fifty-four songs, archival ballads, and contemporary visual records to argue that music serves as a vital, often subversive, record of the experiences of the oppressed and the marginalized. By analyzing the intersection of oral tradition and historical events, the author establishes a framework where song acts as a barometer for public opinion regarding crime, war, and industrial change.

Scholars and music historians frequently cite this work as a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of oral tradition and social record-keeping. Readers often note the accessibility of the prose, which balances academic rigor with a clear, engaging presentation of historical evidence.