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Medieval Ballads

Medieval Ballads. Definition. Narrative songs handed down in oral tradition From French word meaning “dance song”. Characteristics. Simple and direct - stresses a single incident; begins in the midst of the incident Little or no background information

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Medieval Ballads

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  1. Medieval Ballads

  2. Definition Narrative songs handed down in oral tradition From French word meaning “dance song”

  3. Characteristics • Simple and direct - stresses a single incident; begins in the midst of the incident • Little or no background information • Tells a story developed through dialogue • Tells of dramatic events of ordinary people or legendary heroes • Performed for an audience

  4. Types Folk Ballad - oldest type; composed by local bard to remember important event Story most important Tone is tragic Ends in death by accident, murder, suicide, or return of the dead Use of repetition - adds to melody, provides emphasis, heightens emotional effect Some well known traditional folk ballads include “Lord Randall,”“The Three Ravens, and “Get up and Bar the Door.”

  5. Types Minstrel Ballad • Used themes of folk ballads and added descriptions of settings and characters’ feelings • Longer than folk ballad • Less direct than folk ballad • More literary than folk ballad • A well known minstrel ballad is “Sir Patrick Spens/Spence.”

  6. Subjects • Quarrels among family members or lovers or friends • Death • War • Fear of the unknown • Lives of people • Adventures of outlaws • Tragic love

  7. Subjects • Quarrels among family members or lovers or friends • Death • War • Fear of the unknown • Lives of people • Adventures of outlaws • Tragic love

  8. Themes • Love • Courage • Death • Revenge • Envy • Rebellion • Betrayal • Remorse • Loyalty • Patriotism

  9. Song Characteristics • Four-line stanzas • Rhyme in lines 2 and 4 • Repetition of words, phrases, and lines • Refrains

  10. Lord Randal • http://www.pteratunes.org.uk/Music/Music/Lyrics/LordRandal.html

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