folk ballad
Peasant narrative tune
A folk ballad is a narrative song passed down through oral tradition, typically telling stories of love, tragedy, heroism, or supernatural events.
Unlike literary ballads composed by known authors, folk ballads evolved anonymously over generations, with singers adding variations.
They feature simple language, repetition, and memorable refrains: She sang the old folk ballads her grandmother taught her.
- verseMetered poetic passage
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- broadsideFierce written assault
- loveIntense fond attachment
- fair maidenBeautiful young woman
melody · old timey · refrain · oral tradition · tragedy · troubadour · dirge · high lonesome · Appalachian · stanza · Celtic · minstrel · myth · sea shanty · preservation · heritage · morality · bard
- folk musicCeltic revival, singer-songwriter, traditional music, traditional songs, traditional ballads
- poetry termspoetry, rhyme, verse, rhythm, meter
- balladsballads, power ballads, pop ballads, country ballads, love ballads
- folk songstraditional songs, work songs, lullaby, love songs, shanty
- folk versenursery rhyme, lullaby, sea shanty, work song, spiritual
- narrative musicstory song, corrido, song cycle, concept album, rock opera
folk balladclassical composition
Formal orchestral or chamber work
art music · commissioned work · film score · lieder · jingle
folk balladsymphony
Extended composition for orchestra
concerto · electronic dance music · studio production · chamber music
folk balladopera
Theatrical art combining song
classical music · art music · court music · classical composition · chamber music
folk, folklore, ballad, folksy, folktale, balladeer, balladry, folksong, folksiness