Ballad

1
Ballad

• A form of narrative poetry that a presents a
  single dramatic episode, which is often tragic or
  violent.
• In its simplest form, a ballad is a narrative set
  to music. Modern music lovers often refer to them
  as story songs, as the term ballad has been
  misused so often in modern language.
• A ballad is traditionally set to Common Meter--a
  poetic rhyming scheme that follows either the
  a,b,a,b or a,b,c,b format. The first and third
  lines has four stressed syllables, and the second
  and fourth have three.

2
Ballad

• Modern songs that fit this criteria are
• Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Hotel California by the Eagles
• Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristopherson
• Ode to Billy Joe by Bobbie Gentry
• Black Diamond Bay by Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy