During the 1730s, he wrote many songs for other writers' ballad operas, masques, and pantomines, which helped support his family financially. He published several compilations of his songs, which owned him the title "Ballad-Maker." His own original plays, usually comedies, satires, and farces (most notably The Honest Yorkshire-Man), enjoyed widespread popularity, yet the restrictions of the 1737 Licensing Act hindered Carey's theatrical career. Carey claims to have lost nearly 300.L per Annum due to piracies of his works.