LINKS TO MY BALLADS

LINKS TO MY BALLADS



A ballad is classically a poem written as iambic quatrains with abcb rhyme in which alternating lines have four and three feet. They often represent action packed folklore referring to adventure, betrayal, death, war or love or heroic acts. It can be represented as:

Each four-line stanza:

Line 1 A – da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM
Line 2 B - da DUM da DUM da DUM
Line 3 C - da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM
Line 4 B - da DUM da DUM da DUM

In other words, ballads have been described as “narrative poems with stanzas of two or four lines and usually a refrain. They are written in straight-forward verse, seldom with detail, but always with graphic simplicity and force. Most ballads are suitable for singing”.


However, variations from the classic form are common and allowed now. Stanzas may have six lines also. A refrain is often included.

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LINKS --



THE FIRST STONE: a ballad—award winner, "THE FIRST STONE: A ballad--award winner" , 6 September 2003
[“He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”]

HEART OF STONE—a ballad—"HEART OF STONE—a ballad" , 15 September 2003
[How a stone heart is melted by a wisp of a girl]

CUNNING TURTLE: A BALLAD---"CUNNING TURTLE: A BALLAD-Editor's choice"  5 October 2003
[A fun poem for children. How the turtle got his bride!]


M C Gupta
26 July 2008