MEDIEVAL BALLADS

WHAT IS A BALLAD?

  • Questions to consider:

    • What is a ballad to you?

    • What does a ballad deal with?

    • Who are the protagonists? What about the setting?

    • What about the structure?

DEFINITION OF A BALLAD

  • A ballad is a poetic form, specifically a short narrative poem that is often set to music.

  • The term "ballad" is derived from the French word meaning "dancing".

EXAMPLE OF A BALLAD: LORD RANDAL

  • Opening lines:

    • "O where ha you been, Lord Randal, my son! And where ha you been, my handsome young man!"

    • Randal replies, "I ha been at the greenwood; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down."

  • Dialogue about encounters:

    • Mother queries Randal’s interactions, asking, "An wha met ye there, Lord Randal, my son?"

    • Randal responds that he met his true-love, reinforcing his exhaustion wanting to lie down.

  • Gift of food and subsequent poison:

    • Inquiry about what his true-love gave him results in the answer, "Eels fried in a pan; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down."

    • The mother questions the fate of Randal’s hawks and hounds; Randal’s tragic revelation is, "They stretched their legs out and died; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi huntin, and fain wad lie down."

  • Concern for poisoning:

    • The mother fears Randal has been poisoned; he admits, "O yes, I am poisoned; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down."

  • Final bequests:

    • Questions about his bequests follow, with Randal's responses revealing his legacy:

    • "Four and twenty milk kye…"

    • "My gold and my silver…"

    • "My houses and my lands…"

    • "I leave her hell and fire…"

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE BALLAD

  • Refrain:

    • Traditional ballads often feature a refrain, typically the second and/or fourth line of stanzas which was sung by the group with a single voice singing the alternating lines.

    • In "Lord Randal", the refrain recurs at the end of each stanza.

    • Discussion point: Why does the refrain partly change in the ballad's second half?

  • Rhythm:

    • The rhythm is typically stressed through alliteration.

    • Activity: Find at least two examples of alliteration in ballads.

  • Language:

    • Definitions:

    • Underline words:

      • long / short, concrete / abstract, ambiguous / specific.

CHILD BALLAD #209 - GEORDIE

  • Narrative Overview:

    • A maiden mourns for her Geordie who is sentenced to hang.

    • She laments that he will be hanged in a golden chain, a rare privilege.

  • Characterization of Geordie:

    • Described as a noble figure, being of king's royal breed.

    • Accusations include stealing king's deer for survival.

    • The maiden expresses willingness to trade her children for Geordie’s life.

  • Judicial Outcome:

    • A judge remorsefully informs the maiden that Geordie cannot be pardoned despite her pleas.

GEORDIE - FABRIZIO DE ANDRE

  • Translation Overview:

    • Similar narrative to "Geordie" that highlights themes of love and tragedy regarding sentencing of a young man.

20th CENTURY BALLADS

  • Modern Definition:

    • In the 20th century, the term "ballad" referred to short songs with slow rhythms and romantic or sentimental themes.

  • Cultural Impact:

    • The 1960s saw protest music, exemplified by Bob Dylan utilizing ballad forms to address conflicts such as the Vietnam War.

    • Notable Works:

    • “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”, “Blowin' in the Wind”, “Masters of War”.

A HARD RAIN’S A GONNA FALL

  • Content Analysis:

    • Poetic questions asked reflect profound existential themes.

    • Dylan’s imagery includes:

    • "Newborn baby with wild wolves" - signifies danger surrounding innocence.

    • "Highway of diamonds… nobody on it" - reflects lost potential or unfulfilled societal dreams.

    • Repeated refrain:

      • The phrase "and it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, And it’s a hard rain's a-gonna fall" highlights impending hardship.

ALLEGORICAL OR SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATIONS

  • Themes to Explore:

    • Connections of specific verses in Dylan’s song to broader themes such as:

    • War, greed, racial hatred, the end of the world, communication barriers, hope, love, corruption, deceit, and indifference to suffering.

REFRAIN SIGNIFICANCE

  • Interpretive Questions:

    • Potential meanings of the refrain may include:

    • (A) The rain will wash away traces of suffering.

    • (B) The rain will cause renewed suffering.

    • (C) The rain suggests renewal.

    • (D) The rain indicates environmental destruction.

    • (E) The rain acts as a warning of difficult times.

    • (F) Other interpretations.

COMPARATIVE STRUCTURE

  • Comparison between Ballads:

    • Elements to compare include:

    • Structure, length, and themes.

    • Historic context.

HENRY LEE – N. CAVE + P.J. HARVEY

  • Narrative Overview:

    • A dramatic tale of love and betrayal where Henry Lee is lured into tragedy by a maiden.

    • Notable motifs include the haunting presence of nature and the fatal consequences of love.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

  • Discussion Points:

    • Features similar to other ballads previously studied, assessing protagonists and story arcs.

FEATURES OF A BALLAD

  • Characteristics:

    • Tells a story, emphasizing action and dialogue rather than description.

    • Simple metrical structure and lack of complex characterization.

    • Sung to a modal melody, often derived from oral tradition.

    • Often reflects folk or popular traditions, preserving narratives through oral transmission.

ADDITIONAL BALLAD FEATURES

  • Narrative Techniques:

    • Intense, immediate storytelling focused on climax.

    • Dialogue frequented with impersonal narration.

    • Use of straightforward, formulaic language with a limited stock of epithets.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

  • Origins:

    • First ballads were composed between the 13th and 15th centuries for oral performance, later transcribed by prominent figures such as Sir Thomas Percy and Sir Walter Scott, and collected by Francis James Child.

LINGUISTIC CHANGES AND POETIC FORM

  • Impact of Normans:

    • Introduction of metrical romances and a new poetic structure, leading to a celebration of nature as positive rather than adversarial.

BALLAD CATEGORIES

  • Types:

    • Classes of ballads include:

    • Border ballads, outlaw ballads, ballads of magic, town ballads, and social ballads.

REPETITION AND STRUCTURE IN BALLADS

  • Repetitive Nature:

    • Fixed structures often involving questions and responses, reflecting communal singing traditions during festive gatherings.

    • Incremental repetitions enhance memorability and emotional resonance.

THEMATIC ELEMENTS IN BALLADS

  • Common Themes:

    • Ballads often begin in medias res, focusing on tragic and sensational themes such as murder, revenge, or unfaithful lovers.

METRICAL STRUCTURES IN BALLADS

  • Structure Variations:

    • Majority constructed in iambic heptameter with flexible metrical patterns.

    • Generally composed of short stanzas (two or four lines) where specific lines rhyme and fourth lines may serve as a refrain.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON THE BALLAD FORM

  • Legacy and Rediscovery:

    • Ballads symbolize personal expression and shared experiences, leading to a resurgence of interest during the 18th century.

ENDING REFLECTION

  • Discussion Prompt:

    • Can you think of any ballads you would like to discuss?