Ballad

A ballad is a narrative song, typically one that tells a story in a simple and often dramatic manner, usually concerning love, adventure, historical events, or the supernatural. Often characterized by its repetition, incremental development, and focus on strong emotion, ballads have a long history in oral tradition, often passed down through generations before being written down. They can feature dialogue, characters, and a clear beginning, middle, and end, serving to entertain and to preserve cultural memory. The musical form is a strophic one, meaning each verse has the same musical structure.

Ballad meaning with examples

• The traveling bard strummed his lute, launching into a tragic ballad of star-crossed lovers, captivating the tavern's patrons with each verse. His mournful voice perfectly conveyed the grief of the protagonists, moving listeners with the tale of woe. The ballad's repetition emphasized the characters' despair, amplifying their plight.
• During the renaissance, the ballad became a popular form, frequently used in plays to provide narrative context, create a sense of atmosphere, and to heighten emotional impact for audiences. The ballads told simple stories which everyone could easily grasp, often in a series of short, rhyming verses. The playwrights understood the dramatic effect of simple verses.
• At the campfire, the hikers took turns singing ballads that told of epic journeys and daring exploits, recounting the brave explorers who had conquered the wilderness long before. The repeating chorus served as a moment of collective unity. Their renditions, however, had slightly different interpretations of the central idea.
• Modern music sometimes utilizes the form; the singer's ballad, detailing a sailor's long absence from home, featured a powerful refrain and a sorrowful melody to capture the listener's heart. The dramatic events unfolded in simple words. The listeners knew the ending but would follow the tale with anticipation.