Ballad Poems

"Tales woven in rhyme, where legends and love live on in song."

TitleAuthorType of Poem
Tibbie, I Hae Seen The DayRobert BurnsBallad
Till All the Bad Things Came UntrueHenry LawsonBallad
To A Pair Of Blucher BootsHenry LawsonBallad
To D. H. O, - Falmouth Is A Fine TownWilliam Ernest HenleyBallad
To Lucasta On Going To The War, For The Fourth TimeRobert von Ranke GravesBallad
To Mary CampbellRobert BurnsBallad
To SunnydaleRobert William ServiceBallad
To The Good Old-Fashioned PeopleJames Whitcomb RileyBallad
To The JudgeJames Whitcomb RileyBallad
To The Pliocene SkullBret Harte (Francis)Ballad

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.