The ballad’s 4-3-4-3 line beat in matching quatrains has become the most familiar spoken-word and recorded poetic form of modern times.
Much of today’s literary and musical culture grows out of the ballad. Every day, we hear ballads on our radios, iPods and MP3 players, and as a backdrop for commercials. Over the past half century, rock and country music have given the ballad a format that appeals to baby boomers and Generations X, Y and Z – all of whom were exposed to the plot-driven poetry from grammar school through college.
Ballads are the basis for much of the music we listen to everyday.
| Rhyme: | Traditionally, the second and fourth lines rhyme in each quatrain |
| Structure: | Varied, but most often a series of quatrains, quintets, or sestets |
| Measure/Beat: | Iambic tetrameter and iambic pentameter on alternating lines |
| Common Themes: | Love, tragedy, religion, politics, triumph, loss |
| Other Notes: |
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