1. The Ballad Tradition

2. Why did people sing ballads? A ballad is a form of verse to be sung or recited. It’s usually a dramatic episode in simple narrative form. A ballad is a form of verse to be sung or recited. It’s usually a dramatic episode in simple narrative form. Most of the English and Scottish ballads are from the 14 th and 15 th centuries. Most of the English and Scottish ballads are from the 14 th and 15 th centuries. Balladeers often represented today’s journalists. Balladeers often represented today’s journalists. Common topics included murder and revenge, tragic accidents and sudden disasters, heroic deeds and the quest for honor, jealous sweethearts and unrequited love. Common topics included murder and revenge, tragic accidents and sudden disasters, heroic deeds and the quest for honor, jealous sweethearts and unrequited love.

3. Typical Ballad Plots It dramatizes a single incident. It dramatizes a single incident. The supernatural often plays an important part. The supernatural often plays an important part. The incidents usually deal with common people involved in actual events. The incidents usually deal with common people involved in actual events. It usually offers some practical wisdom. It usually offers some practical wisdom.

4. Ballad Structures Repetition is common. Repetition is common. Transitions are abrupt. Transitions are abrupt. They possess a strong, simple beat and uncomplicated rhyme. They possess a strong, simple beat and uncomplicated rhyme. –Like aabb or abab Ballads use a chorus or refrain for everyone to join in singing. Ballads use a chorus or refrain for everyone to join in singing. The ballad is brought to a close with a summary stanza. The ballad is brought to a close with a summary stanza.

5. Ballad Language Slight attention is paid to characterization or description of characters. Slight attention is paid to characterization or description of characters. Action is largely developed through dialogue with little clue as to who is speaking. Action is largely developed through dialogue with little clue as to who is speaking. Tragic situations, sudden disasters, and accidental deaths are presented with plain language. Tragic situations, sudden disasters, and accidental deaths are presented with plain language.

6. Although our taste in music and lyrics has changed over the years, the reasons we like songs are basically the same. Although our taste in music and lyrics has changed over the years, the reasons we like songs are basically the same. Think about how songs can tell stories, make things easy to remember, and just get people to have fun. Those are the ideas behind ballads. Think about how songs can tell stories, make things easy to remember, and just get people to have fun. Those are the ideas behind ballads.