Ballads

Narrative poetry that describes an single dramatic episode—often tragic

or violent.

Ballad

• A form of verse to be sung or recited characterized by its presentation of a dramatic or exciting episode in narrative form.

Ballad Plot:

• A single episode of highly dramatic nature is presented

• The supernatural is likely to play a part• Incidents are usually such as happen to

common people• Physical courage and love are frequent themes

Folk ballad

• One of the earliest forms of literature• Transmitted orally• Composed anonymously• Topic—common people• Developed through dialogue and action• Refrain• Incremental repetition

Literary ballad

• Imitative of a folk ballad• More polished—consciously artful• More elevated language• Professional diction and syntax

Ballad stanza

• Quatrain—four line stanza• Rhyme scheme—• A. . . .4 accented syllables • B. . . .3 accented syllables• C. . . .4accented syllables• B. . . .3accented syllables

“The Unquiet Grave”the WIND/doth BLOW/to DAY/my LOVE

a FEW/ small DROPS/ of RAINi’ve NEV/ er HAD/ but ONE/ true LOVE,

in COLD/ grave SHE/ was LAIN

• The night was dark no father was there The child was wet with dew. The mire was deep, and the child did weep And away the vapour flew.

They dined on mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon;And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,

They danced by the light of the moon. . .

--- Edward Lear

A bunch of the boys were whooping it up In the Malamute saloon;The kid that handles the music box Was hitting a jag-time tune’

Back of the bar, in a solo game, Sat Dangerous Dan McGrew,And watching his luck was his light-o’-live, the lady that’s known as Lou.

--Robert Service

Gilligan’s Island Theme Song

• Just SIT right BACK and you HEAR a TALE.• A TALE of a FATEful TRIP• That STARted FROM this TROpic PORT• A-BOARD this TIny SHIP.

• Listen to the whole tragic ballad!

• Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me,I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.

--By John Newton

* Most poetic ballads can be sung to the Gilligan’s Island theme song! Try it with “Amazing Grace.”

Tragic Ballad Assignment

• Write a 16+ line tragic ballad• Due 1/7• Follow the rhyme scheme and meter of a

ballad. • It must be a narrative poem—tells a story!!• Type or Ink. Every spelling error is a half grade

reduction