come-all-ye

[ kuhm-awl-yee ]

noun

1. a street ballad, especially in England.

come-all-ye

/ -jiː; kəˈmɔːljə /

noun

1. a street ballad or folk song

Word History and Origins

Origin of come-all-ye¹

First recorded in 1885–90; after the invitation that often forms the opening line of such ballads

Word History and Origins

Origin of come-all-ye¹

C19: from the common opening words come all ye ( young maidens, loyal heroes, etc )…

Example Sentences

While his predecessors have at least made a pretence of calling for quality over quantity, he espouses a come-all-ye approach.

From The Guardian

The Open East festival is a come-all-ye event to help get things under way.

From The Guardian

All the merit I can claim is the ability to rhyme a limerick or sing a "come-all-ye" in a manner perhaps not unpleasing to my friends.

From Project Gutenberg

To the amazement of Ruth and the others it was a real Irish “come-all-ye,” and although the words might not have been altogether well-chosen, they were funny.

From Project Gutenberg

“Great Scott, Jack, where did you pick up that old come-all-ye?”

From Project Gutenberg