Ballade facts for kids
- For the ballade as a musical (instrumental) form, see ballade (musical form).
A ballade is a special kind of medieval French poem or song that tells a story. It was very popular in France during the 14th and 15th century. These songs were often used for dances.
Contents
What is a Ballade?
A ballade is a type of poem or song from the Middle Ages. It was created in France. The main idea of a ballade is to tell a story through its words.
Where Did Ballades Come From?
Ballades were very popular in France during the 1300s and 1400s. They were often sung and danced to. Other similar types of songs from that time include the rondeau and the virelai.
How Are Ballades Structured?
Most ballades have three main parts, called stanzas. Each stanza usually has the same rhythm (metre) and rhyme scheme. A cool thing about ballades is that the last line of each stanza is often exactly the same. This repeated line is like a chorus in a modern song.
What is an Envoi?
Sometimes, a ballade might end with a short extra stanza called an envoi. An envoi is like a special message. It was often used to speak directly to a king, prince, or another important person.
Who Wrote Ballades?
Many famous writers and composers created ballades. For example, Guillaume de Machaut was a well-known French composer who wrote many ballades. The great English poet Geoffrey Chaucer also wrote ballades.
