Music of the British Isles: Ballads
Ballads: Origins http://www. webexhibits The ballad evolved and grew from several medieval roots, most notably Provencal folk music. Known orally for centuries, with storytellers using line-breaks and rhythm to enrapture their audiences as they passed along tales and histories The ballad maintained a strong presence in England for three centuries Romantic poets found a perfect form for their lilting verbal melodies, and turned the ballad into a writer’s sport
Ballads Strophic form - four lines - rhyme/meter patterns Alternating 4-3-4-3 Stock narrative formulas - setting and people - riding, sailing, walking - conversation Generic characters - fair lady - saucy sailor lad - false knight
Ballad Elements “Leaping and Lingering” storyline Sensational subject matter Pervasive use of the number three Colors: green, red, white Stock phrases and motifs Repetition Sometimes use a chorus Performed solo (no harmony) Moral of the story is…
Gory Murder Ballads! Exactly what it sounds like!! Scandal straight out of the salacious and sordid news of the time period… The Two Sisters (England) - treachery/murder from older sister - younger sister reveals her killer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlB_QPMUWmg Lord Randall (Scotland) - treachery/murder from wife - mother finds out the truth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2I6aRh9LOQ Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender (England) - treachery/murder between two women - man kills the murderer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVHqaP817OU
Conversation Ballads Only two characters Sung by the same person Singer’s gender is unimportant Often describes a contest, a set of impossible tasks, or a breakup Examples: - Scarborough Fair (England) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiZJP_XLmrQ - Capt. Wedderburn’s Courtship (Scotland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53hHdwaurvk - Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go? (Ireland/Scotland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVQkdV4GwLc
Laments/Love Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5fBppsntAE Focus on emotion rather than narrative More often in Irish, Welsh, etc. as opposed to English Uses comparisons to “nature imagery” Uses the “Natural World” to express praise or to mourn Usually the melodies are very compelling Note: beloved can be an object (alcohol, a ring) Examples - Crúiscín Lán (The Little Full Jug – Ireland) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQRJtkseGs - Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair (Scotland/Appalachia) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5fBppsntAE