ballad
noun
[ ˈbaləd ]
• a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next.
• a slow sentimental or romantic song.
Origin:
late 15th century (denoting a light, simple song): from Old French balade, from Provençal balada ‘dance, song to dance to’, from balar ‘to dance’, from late Latin ballare (see ball2). The sense ‘narrative poem’ dates from the mid 18th century.
