The Ballad In fours and threes and threes and fours In fours and threes and threes and fours ‘The Ancient Mariner’ of course ‘The Ancient Mariner’ of course The Ballad beats its drum: The Ballad beats its drum: Remains the exemplum. Remains the exemplum. With manly eights ( or female nines) With manly eights ( or female nines) Your are allowed if ‘tis your pleasure, Your are allowed if ‘tis your pleasure, To stretch the length to equal lines To stretch the length to equal lines And make a ballad of LONG MEASURE And make a ballad of LONG MEASURE

Ballad The word “ballad” comes from ballare, the Italian for ‘to dance’. The word “ballad” comes from ballare, the Italian for ‘to dance’. (Same root as ballet, ballerina and ball) (Same root as ballet, ballerina and ball)

A Ballad is Pub Poetry Its elbows are always on the table, never holds the doors for the ladies or covers its mouth when it burps Its elbows are always on the table, never holds the doors for the ladies or covers its mouth when it burps Ballads have little interest in description of landscapes or the psychology of the individual.

The oldest, in some ways the easiest, and surely the most enduring of all poetic forms is the ballad. Ballads, the main vehicle for stories and songs, go back into the mists of prehistory, before English was even recognizably English: In Scarlet Town, where I was born, There was a fair maid dwellin' Made every lad cry wellaway, And her name was Barbara Allen.

Chief among its virtues is a keen passion to tell you a story: it will grab you by the lapel, stare you in the eyes & plunge right in:

Ballad Of Jed Clampett Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed Poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed Then one day he was shooting for some food, And up through the ground come a bubbling crude (Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea) Well the first thing you know old Jed's a millionaire Kin folk said Jed move away from there Said California is the place you oughta be So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly (Hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars) Well now it's time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin They would like to thank you folks for kindly dropping in You're all invited back again to this locality To have a heaping helping of their hospitality (Beverly Hillbillies, that's what they call 'em now, Nice folks Y'all come back now, ya hear?)

It’s irresistible lilt is familiar to us in everything from nursery rhymes to rugby songs. Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such fun And the dish ran away with the spoon! Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such fun And the dish ran away with the spoon! Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater; Had a wife, and couldn't keep her; He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well. Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater; Had another and didn't love her; Peter learned to read and spell, And then he loved her very well. Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater; Had a wife, and couldn't keep her; He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well. Peter, Peter, pumpkin-eater; Had another and didn't love her; Peter learned to read and spell, And then he loved her very well.

Some Guidelines

7 Characteristics of Ballads: 1. Dramatization of a single incident Story begins abruptly, often in medias res Little attention to characterization, background, or description 2. Little reflection or expression of sentiment What happens rather than what people thought or felt Ends abruptly, often leaving unanswered questions 3. Dialogue or questions and answers that further the story Told through speech of characters rather than first person narrative

4. Strong, simple beat and uncomplicated rhyme scheme or pattern Repetition to emphasize ideas and add to musical quality 5. Use of refrain at end of stanza Listeners can join in 6. Tendency to suggest rather than directly state Sparsely told Sharp psychological portraits Folk wisdom 7. Stories often based on actual events (shipwrecks, murders, accidental deaths)—i.e. narrative poems

Appreciate the Genre Many ballads are about tragic circumstances, ending in death by accident, suicide, the return of the dead, or murder. Many ballads are about tragic circumstances, ending in death by accident, suicide, the return of the dead, or murder. Many ballad seem to have been composed to commemorate important events or important people in particular communities. Many ballad seem to have been composed to commemorate important events or important people in particular communities. As a rule, the background material is sketchy; the listeners were more interested in rapid and dramatic action. As a rule, the background material is sketchy; the listeners were more interested in rapid and dramatic action.

Let the Repetition have its effect A refrain is the repetition of words, phrases, or lines employed for melodic effect, to provide emphasis, and to heighten emotion. A refrain is the repetition of words, phrases, or lines employed for melodic effect, to provide emphasis, and to heighten emotion. An incremental refrain, or the repetition in succeeding stanzas of lines containing some small addition, or increment, is used to build to a climax. An incremental refrain, or the repetition in succeeding stanzas of lines containing some small addition, or increment, is used to build to a climax. Many ballads, like “Get Up and Bar the Door,” use what is called a ballad stanza: four alternating line of Iambic Tetrameter and Trimeter that rhymes the second and fourth lines. Hint: if you can sing a poem to the theme of Gilligan’s Isle, then it’s in ballad stanza form. Many ballads, like “Get Up and Bar the Door,” use what is called a ballad stanza: four alternating line of Iambic Tetrameter and Trimeter that rhymes the second and fourth lines. Hint: if you can sing a poem to the theme of Gilligan’s Isle, then it’s in ballad stanza form.

Here’s the ballad you need to finish Now gather round and let me tell The tale of Danny Wise: And how his sweet wife Annabelle Did suck out both his eyes. And if I tell the story true And if I tell it clear, There’s not a mortal one of you Won’t shriek in mortal fear.

What to keep in mind… This is written in abab rhyme and you can drop it from time to time, BUT do stick to the four-line structure. Enjoy yourself The ballad has a certain flow, a rhythmic swing and a beat.

Ballad Rubric CategoryExemplaryBasic Below Basic The song mimics ballad structure Each stanza effectively utilizes the structural elements of a ballad: refrain, incremental refrain, strong meter (ballad stanza), dialogue, and rhyme. Song contains at least five stanzas. Stanzas utilize ballad elements, but not as effectively as an exemplary piece: example, may begin with exact phrasing repeated instead of building up Song only contains between two and four stanzas Poem does not utilize important elements of ballad Song is one stanza Song lyrics reflect a tone appropriate to the ballad’s theme Lyrics build a suspenseful, tragic, or comic tone; like in-class examples, end of poem has impact (whether purposeful, tragic, or comic). Lyrics sometimes create an appropriate tone; ending’s impact is not as impactful as an exemplary work. No thoughtful creation of tone The song will contain original imagery and symbolism to convey its message Imagery is fresh and clearly relates to three to five of the senses; symbols are strong and clear. Imagery relates to a couple of the senses; work utilizes symbolism. Imagery not used or simply sight; no symbolism or symbolism is unclear