Poetic Form The Ballad

The ballad In this lesson you will… Be introduced to a form of poetry known as the ballad Explore the ballad form Analyze a sample ballad

What is a ballad? We tend to think of ballads as dramatic love songs fit for the divas of pop music The word ballad originally derived from an Old French word meaning “dancing song.”

The Modern Ballad "The Lighthouse's Tale“ (Nickel Creek) I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.  I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.  I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.  I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.  I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.  We had grown closer, 'till his joy meant everything to me.  And he was to marry, a girl who shone with beauty and light.  And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night.  [Chorus:] And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.  And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.  She'd had to leave us, my keeper he prayed for a safe return.  But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned.  He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.  In me so helpless, as dashed against the rock she met her end.  [Chorus] Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the SHORE.  He kissed her cold face, that they'd be together soon he'd swore.  I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.  And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.  [Chorus] I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.  And though I am empty, I still warn the sailors on their way.

The Modern Ballad "The Lighthouse's Tale“ (Nickel Creek) I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.  I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.  I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.  I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.  I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.  We had grown closer, 'till his joy meant everything to me.  And he was to marry, a girl who shone with beauty and light.  And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night.  [Chorus:] And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.  And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.  She'd had to leave us, my keeper he prayed for a safe return.  But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned.  He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.  In me so helpless, as dashed against the rock she met her end.  [Chorus] Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the SHORE.  He kissed her cold face, that they'd be together soon he'd swore.  I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.  And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.  [Chorus] I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.  And though I am empty, I still warn the sailors on their way. Based on this example, what might be some features of the ballad form?

In media res “In Medias Res” is a term that refers to the practice of starting a story “in the middle of things” without exposition Ballads start quickly, without much introduction or narration See the example at right. What is troubling the knight-at- arms? Why is he alone and hanging back? Why is nature silent? The ballad plunges into its subject, and leaves us with questions O, what can ail thee, knight-at- arms, Alone and palely loitering? The sedge has withered from the lake, And no birds sing. - La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats

Two types of ballads Folk Ballad Literary Ballad A song/narrative poem transmitted orally that tells a story Focuses on one incident Begins in the midst of a crisis (in medias res) Proceeds to the resolution with little background information, or much character development Literary Ballad are composed and written down by known poets, usually in the style of folk ballads Example: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Early ballads Were often about Tragic love Domestic conflicts Wars Shipwrecks Sensational crimes Exploits of outlaws

The sensational Just like today with tabloid headlines and soap operas, certain forms of popular entertainment tended toward the sensational. Plot Examples Three dead sons visit mother for dinner A maiden is headed for the gallows, and her family refuses to help

Later ballads Historical events Romantic heroes These ballads were written towards the end of the Middle Ages when English was accepted as a language of literary merit

Structure of the ballad Typically Four lines per stanza Some syllables are stronger for emphasis ABCB rhyme scheme "Mother dear, may I go downtown Instead of out to play, And march the streets of Birmingham In a Freedom March today?" - “Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner He holds him with his glittering eye The Wedding Guest stood still, And listens like a three years’ child: The Mariner hath his will. The Wedding Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.

Ballad passages In a group of four, determine the rhyme scheme of the ballad passage you’ve been given What else do you notice? Be prepared to share your findings

Characteristics Stock descriptive phrases A word or phrase habitually used by a group of people: a cliché Example: blood-red wine One less thing for the singer to remember Refrain in each stanza (repetition) Contributed to the song’s rhythm and reinforced its theme Provided the singer with time to think of the next verse Incremental repetition A line or stanza is repeated, but with an addition that advances the story

Basics - review Story begins in media res Third person narration Treats a highly dramatic situation in the simplest language Uses a considerable amount of dialogue (sometimes local dialect) Story begins in media res Third person narration Dramatic storyline Rhyme scheme Theme of death and loss Involve… Strong elemental passions of humanity Powerfully depicted love Hatred, faith, revenge, fear, courage, loyalty Many involve the supernatural and end tragically

Long Black Veil "Long Black Veil" is a 1959 country ballad written by Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin and originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell Listen to this version of the ballad as performed by Johnny Cash. In a group, look closely at the lyrics Summarize the story that is told in a few sentences

The plot A saga song, "Long Black Veil" is told from the point of view of an executed man falsely accused of murder. He refuses to provide an alibi, since on the night of the murder he was having an affair with his best friend's wife, and would rather die and take their secret to his grave than admit the truth. The chorus describes the woman's mourning visits to his gravesite, wearing a long black veil and enduring a wailing wind.

How does it fit Ballad conventions? Story begins in media res Dramatic storyline: death, love, betrayal, murder Rhyme scheme Repetition Theme of death and loss

Amor Mundi In your groups, read “Amor Mundi” together, out loud Each person can read a stanza in turn until complete Complete the analysis worksheet Painting by Edward Robert Hughes, 1851-1914