Welcome to the...

WONDERFUL BALLAD SITE!!!

What's a ballad?

 A ballad is a story poem, usually written to be performed as a song. Ballads use simple but descriptive language and have both a rhythmic and rhyming pattern. Because ballads are songs, they also have verses and a catchy chorus.

Why did people make and share ballads?

 During the 1700's (when ballads became very popular), there weren't any televisions, cinemas or internet. People had to do SOMETHING for fun! Ballads were a way for people to get together and share stories, pass along interesting news of the day. Because the ballads often became

Some traditional examples ...

A famous ballad about a highway robber...

The Highwayman (YouTube - Animation)

A famous ballad about a lord's daughter who runs away with a gypsy ...

The Gypsy Rover (YouTube - choral performance)

A famous ballad about love gone wrong ...

Barbara Allen (YouTube - video clip from a movie)