English & Scottish Ballads

The people’s poetry

I. The Purpose

To entertain

No movies? No TV? Can’t read?

Go down to the town square and listen to the wandering minstrel sing stories.

II. The Origin

A. The oral traditionLiterature passed on by word of mouth, mostly sung, in the 15th century

B. The folk process…is the process by which songs and stories are passed along orally and, as a result, undergo an evolution or change.

C. They are anonymous, but authorship is shared by the community.

III. Characteristics of the Ballads

A. Subject Matter1. Stories came from everyday life of the common folk.2. Common themes:

a. disappointed loveb. jealousyc. revenged. sudden disastere. adventure and daringf. activities of the nobility

III. Characteristics of the Ballads, cont’d

B. Style1. Narrative Style

a. simple and directb. single incidentc. little characterizationd. little descriptione. little background informationf. story usually told through dialogueg. use of refrain or repetition (for participation)h. some information is implied rather than stated

III. Characteristics of the Ballads, cont’d

B. Style, cont’d2. Form, usually:

a. 4-line stanzab. 4 metric feet to the linec. contain end rhyme

3. They were meant to be sung

III. Characteristics of the Ballads, cont’d

For example…Fair young maid all in the gardenStrange young man, passer-bySaid, “Fair maid, will you marry me?”This then, sir, was her reply.

“Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee,For I’ve a love who sails all on the see.He’s been gone for seven years;Still no man shall marry me.”

III. Characteristics of the Ballads, cont’d

Notice the stresses:Fair young maid all in the gardenStrange young man, passer-bySaid, “Fair maid, will you marry me?”This then, sir, was her reply.

“Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee,For I’ve a love who sails all on the sea.He’s been gone for seven years;Still no man shall marry me.”