These are from
Pan Pipes, a book of traditional songs from 1883, illuminated by Walter Crane, dean of children's book illustrators. For a warm-up, let's practice on "My Lady Greensleeves." Thoughtfully, Crane has depicted the woman with green sleeves. Or it's just my terrible scan.
Next, here's "Barbara Allen," which Porky Pig memorably warbled in 1957's "Robin Hood Daffy."
It's just like director Chuck Jones to be a little anti-authoritarian: the
Merrie Melodies were originally meant as vehicles to plug songs from Warner Bros. movies...and of course, the songs he uses in that cartoon are all incredibly public domain. It does not begin "Bar-bar-bar, Bar-barbara Allen."
Next, find two other guys and get set for a rousing rendition of "We Be Soldiers Three" before moving on to "While My Lute Gently Weeps."
Speaking of Warner Bros. cartoons, here's "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes," which is apparently so horrible that nobody can bear to sing more than a line or two without bursting into "I Love to Sing-a."
