Why I love ballads
I love the way ballad songs manage to tell entire, quite complex, stories in less than five minutes, with time for a chorus and memorable turns of phrase. Is there another form of media which does this so fast without feeling rushed? I’m currently listening to Ken Theriot’s ‘Men of the Isles’ which has feuds, an abusive stepfather, piracy, a conflict of loyalty, some delightful turns of phrase and several morals. Also kudos for using the Old English word ‘ycleped’ (to be called) in all seriousness, though I don’t think it’s actually a trad song. Ken Theriot seems to be US renfaire-affiliated. “The grandest plan may swim or sink by actions good or ill You cannot kick the pup and think the dog will do your will ‘Tis said the man will have the game who wears the truer face So Allen’s burning Old McClain’s and not Macquarie’s place”.
