Ballad

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music.The ballad derives its name from medieval French dance songs or "ballares" (L: ballare, to dance) (from which we also get 'ballet'), as did the alternative rival form that became the French Ballade.

 The form was often used by poets and composers from the 18th century onwards to produce lyrical ballads. In the later 19th century it took on the meaning of a slow form of popular love song and the term is now often used as synonymous with any love song, particularly the pop or rock power ballad.

Here is an example for Ballad poem.


The Mermaid      by  Unknown author


'Twas Friday morn when we set sail, 
And we had not got far from land, 
When the Captain, he spied a lovely mermaid, 
With a comb and a glass in her hand.

Chorus 

Oh the ocean waves may roll, 
And the stormy winds may blow, 
While we poor sailors go skipping aloft 
And the land lubbers lay down below, below, below 
And the land lubbers lay down below.

Then up spoke the Captain of our gallant ship, 
And a jolly old Captain was he; 
"I have a wife in Salem town, 
But tonight a widow she will be."

Chorus

Then up spoke the Cook of our gallant ship, 
And a greasy old Cook was he; 
"I care more for my kettles and my pots, 
Than I do for the roaring of the sea." 

Chorus

Then up spoke the Cabin-boy of our gallant ship, 
And a dirty little brat was he; 
"I have friends in Boston town 
That don't care a ha' penny for me."

Chorus

Then three times 'round went our gallant ship, 
And three times 'round went she, 
And the third time that she went 'round 
She sank to the bottom of the sea.

Chorus