ballants

"ballants" was mere waste of time as well as money.

Industrial Biography, Iron Workers and Tool Makers Samuel Smiles 1858

‘It is very true,’ said the blind man, ‘that when I am tired of scraping thairm or singing ballants, I whiles mak a tale serve the turn among the country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes, that make the auld carlines shake on the settle, and the bits o’ bairns skirl on their minnies out frae their beds.

Redgauntlet 2008

But they stick to it that they’ll be streekit, and hae an auld wife when they’re dying to rhyme ower prayers, and ballants, and charms, as they ca’ them, rather than they’ll hae a minister to come and pray wi’ them—that’s an auld threep o’ theirs; and I am thinking the man that died will hae been ane o’ the folk that was shot when they burnt Woodbourne.

Chapter XLV 1917

“It is very true, ” said the blind man, “that when I am tired of scraping thairm or singing ballants I whiles make a tale serve the turn among the country bodies; and I have some fearsome anes, that make the auld carlines shake on the settle, and the bits o’ bairns skirl on their minnies out frae their beds.

Wandering Willie’s Tale 1907

But ae queer thing was, 'at atween hit an' the tree it grippit a buik, an 'I kent it for the buik o' ballants.

Sir Gibbie George MacDonald 1864

Ginevra's reception of it, Nicie declared she could not see what for they made sic a wark aboot a wheen auld ballants, ane efter anither.

Sir Gibbie George MacDonald 1864

Donal crossed the burn, but Gibbie remained on the other side, and when presently Donal took his "buik o 'ballants" from his pocket, and the little company seated themselves, stood with his back to them, and his eyes on the nowt.

Sir Gibbie George MacDonald 1864

He used frequently to read over by the fireside in the evening the results of his curious industry, which, however, were not very greatly appreciated by his nearest relatives; and they did not scruple to declare that for the "Advocate" to go about collecting "ballants" was mere waste of time as well as money.

Industrial Biography Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904 1863

'Deed, Jeanie, I could not help it; if he would ask me about our ballants and buiks, that ye would never lay your mind to --'

Two Penniless Princesses Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

Dinna mind your independence; it's but spoiling the Egyptians, ye ken, and the bit ballants will be their money's worth, I'll warrant, and tell them a wheen facts they're no that weel acquentit wi '.

Alton Locke, Tailor and Poet An Autobiography Charles Kingsley 1847