1. The Ballad Part of the oral tradition
Stories passed down from generation to generation

2. Oral Tradition Many people still illiterate
Like stained glass, ballads were used to reach illiterate population

3. Origin Earliest written ballads date back to 15th Century England
Bishop Thomas Percy rescued an old manuscript that a housemaid was about to burn in the fire place

4. Introduced Rhyme Roses are red Violets are blue Sugar is sweet
Ballads typically contain 4 line stanzas (known as quatrains)
The lines rhyme at the end, usually on the second and fourth lines
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you

5. Ballads are narrative poems meant to be sung
Narrative means that it tells a story
Emphasis is on plot
Little character development
Little expression of sentiment
Sometimes suggestive,
offers folk wisdom

6. Subject Matter
Like songs today, ballads tell stories about characters who faced challenges in life and in love

7. Common Themes Tragic Accidents Sudden Disasters Murderous Acts
Desire for Revenge
Suicide
Humorous Arguments
Heroic Deeds
Quests for Honor
Jealous Sweethearts
Unrequited Love

8. Characteristics Ballads often dramatize a single incident
are based on actual events
contain dialogue
have a refrain or repeated line
suggest some folk wisdom

9. A Picture of the Times Life was ½ over by age 18
Because of this, we sometimes see a cynical, unsentimental view of life reflected in ballads

10. Folk Ballads
American ballads are often associated with cowboys, folk heroes, mountain people of Tennessee or Kentucky, or outlaws such as Jessie James or Billy the Kid.

11. Folk Ballads In the 1960’s and 1970’s, folk ballads gained popularity.
Singers such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan became known for their ballads