1. Originally derived from an Old French word meaning “dancing song”
BALLADS
Originally derived from an Old French word meaning “dancing song”

2. FOLK BALLADS Author is of unknown origin Originally meant to be sung
Of the common or illiterate people
English-Scottish border

3. LITERARY BALLADS Known authors
Studied imitation and replica of the folk ballad
Tend to contain more elevated language and diction
The intellectual or purposefully “artful” form

4. ELEMENTS OF A BALLAD Narrative poem Focus on a single, dramatic event
Told impersonally through action and dialogue
May start in the middle of the event
Leaves out key parts
Almost never in first person (but always exceptions)

5. ELEMENTS OF A BALLAD Quatrains (4-line stanzas)
Second and fourth lines usually rhyme (abcb)
Often first and third lines have 8 syllables and second and fourth have 6 syllables
(not a hard and fast must have)
Ballad Stanza: rigidly adheres to the above traits.

6. ELEMENTS OF A BALLAD Refrain Repetition Line at end of stanza
Entire repeated stanza
Strong, simple beat

7. Refrain
May be:
Incremental: (most often) words slightly altered end of each stanza, help to advance the action
Internal: repeated lines within each stanza
Terminal: repeated after each stanza

8. ELEMENTS OF A BALLAD
May find the use of any poetic device/figurative language to help establish effect:
Metaphor, rhyme, alliteration, rhythm, hyperbole, simile, etc.

9. BALLAD THEMES Usually relate to tragedy or violence
Unhappy love affairs
Domestic tragedy
Family feuds
Murder
Popular Outlaws (Robin Hood)
Historical Events
Heroes

10. ELEMENTS OF A BALLAD √
For each of the ballads you read you should compare it to the elements of a ballad.
Does it contain all the elements listed? (identify each element and its effect)
If not, where does it vary? Why might it have the variation? What effect/difference does it make?

11. OLD TEXTBOOK “Sir Patrick Spens” (p. 105) “The Twa Corbies” (p. 110)

12. “Sir Patrick Spens” Historical ballad Warrior-Mariner Hero
Beloved by all (except enemies!)

13. “Sir Patrick Spens” Questions
What is the theme and how does it reflect the medieval ages?
How does this ballad conform to the standards of a ballad?
Where is there foreshadowing?
Identify lines with incremental repetition.
Is Sir Patrick Spens in a “no win” situation? Explain.
Compare the language between the two versions. Identify five words whose spellings have changed.

14. “The Twa Corbies” Questions
What view of human life and death does the ballad present? How is it a reflection of the time period?
A ballad traditionally had no introduction. This ballad is an exception. What motive might its author have had?
What effect would be lost if the incident were described by a human speaker rather than a conversation between two ravens?
In an English version of the poem, a “lady full of woe” is discovers the body, buries him, and dies before evening. Which ending do you think you’d prefer? Why?

15. “Robin Hood and the Three Squires” “Get Up and Bar the Door”
NEW TEXTBOOK
“Barbara Allan”
“Robin Hood and the Three Squires”
“Get Up and Bar the Door”

16. “Robin Hood and the Three Squires” Discussion Agenda
Lines Many songs contain a repeated line or lines with catchy nonsense words. Identify in the ballad. What purpose do these lines serve in this ballad?
Lines Restate Robin Hood’s greeting to the sheriff. How is his greeting verbal irony? Is the dramatic irony in the scene effective? Explain.
Explain the author’s purpose in this ballad? Who is the intended audience?
4. What is the narrator’s tone toward Robin Hood? Toward the sheriff?
5. What does the ballad suggest about the social system of Robin Hood’s day? What assumptions did the audience probably make about the sheriff and Robin Hood based on their knowledge of the social system?
6. What conclusions can you draw form the ballad about technology, poverty, religion and old age in medieval days?

17. “Barbara Allan”: The Dead-Bell
“the passing bell” “the soul-bell” “the death bell”
Rung by clergy when a parishioner died
Announcement and request for prayers
Superstition: kept away evil spirits

18. “Barbara Allan”: Discuss
The name Barbara Allan is repeated in nearly every quatrain. In what way does this repetition serve the song?

19. Sample Answer
The name generally appears at the end of a line, where it rhymes with another word. The name Barbara Allan also contain internal repetition, which has the onomatopoetic effect of a bell. The repetition of the name has an incantatory quality which adds to the ballad’s feeling of doom and helps to build suspense.

20. “Barbara Allan”: DEBATE
Is Sir John Graeme spineless and gives up on Barbara Allan too easily? Yes or no? Why or why not?

21. “Get Up and Bar the Door”
Many ballads and songs contain slant rhyme, or two words that sound similar but don’t quite rhyme. What conclusions can be drawn about changes in the English language based on the slant rhymes of “then/pan” (lines 2,4) and “black/spake” (26, 28)?

22. Sample Answer
Chances are that the words in at least some of the pairs both had the same vowel sounds hundreds of years ago, and did not become distinct, separate sounds until later.

23. “Get Up and Bar the Door”: Satire
Is this a satire? If so what does it satirize? What does it suggest about marriage?

24. Listening Audio CD Youtubeversions

25. Simon & Garfunkel
Through the centuries
John Travolta-Added ending
Johnny Cash

26. After listening questions
Are your reactions different after hearing the ballads? Explain.
How important was characterization to the success of the ballads?
Critique: Which ballad told the most interesting story? Explain.