1. Ballad
A form of narrative poetry that a presents a single dramatic episode, which is often tragic or violent. In its simplest form, a ballad is a narrative set to music. Modern music lovers often refer to them as “story songs,” as the term “ballad” has been misused so often in modern language. A ballad is traditionally set to Common Meter--a poetic rhyming scheme that follows either the a,b,a,b or a,b,c,b format. The first and third lines has four stressed syllables, and the second and fourth have three. 1

2. Ballad Modern songs that fit this criteria are:
Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Hotel California by the Eagles
Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristopherson
Ode to Billy Joe by Bobbie Gentry
Black Diamond Bay by Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy 2