With the object of discovering, if possible, some old folk songs peculiar to or specially characteristic of Bedfordshire, three prizes were offered by the Beds, Times and Independent, in February 1904, for the best examples of old songs known and sung in the county. The following examples were received in response to that offer. Most of them, but not all were published in the Beds. Times and they are reprinted for the purpose of reference. -- note on title page.

Contains the words of 23 songs: A lace-maker's song -- Another lacemaker's tell -- Another tell -- Hodge of the mill and buxom Nell -- The plough and the harrow -- Jolly ploughboys -- The song of the ploughboy -- A farmer's life -- A neat little cottage -- The farmer's daughter -- The garden gate --The young squire of Denes -- Peggy Walker -- The roving blade -- An old story -- The deserted lover -- Over the hill -- [Lace school song] -- A song of the sea -- The good old times -- A Bacahanalian ditty -- Poacher Joe -- The beauties of Bedford.