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Ballad vs Song - What's the difference?

ballad | song |

As nouns the difference between ballad and song

is that ballad is a kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas while song is a musical composition with lyrics for voice or voices, performed by singing.

As a verb ballad

is to make mention of in ballads.

As a proper noun Song is

a former dynasty in China, reigning from the end of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to the beginning of the Yuan.

ballad

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
  • The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.
  • A slow romantic pop song.
  • On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.

    Quotations

    * 1885, *: A wandering minstrel I — *: A thing of shreds and patches, *: Of ballads , songs and snatches,

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To make mention of in ballads.
  • To compose or sing ballads.
  • song

    English

    (wikipedia song)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A musical composition with lyrics for voice or voices, performed by singing.
  • :
  • *{{quote-book, 1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, chapter=The Tutor's Daughter, Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page= 266
  • , passage=In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.}}
  • *, chapter=5
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=He was thinking; but the glory of the song , the swell from the great organ, the clustered lights,
  • (label) Any musical composition.
  • Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
  • *(John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • *:This subject for heroic song .
  • *(John Dryden) (1631-1700)
  • *:The bard that first adorned our native tongue / Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song .
  • The act or art of singing.
  • A melodious sound made by a bird, insect, whale or other animal.
  • :
  • *(Nathaniel Hawthorne) (1804-1864)
  • *:That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets.
  • Something that cost only a little; chiefly in for a song.
  • :
  • *(Benjamin Silliman) (1779–1864)
  • *:The soldier's pay is a song .
  • *
  • *:Thus the red damask curtains which now shut out the fog-laden, drizzling atmosphere of the Marylebone Road, had cost a mere song , and yet they might have been warranted to last another thirty years. A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor;.
  • An object of derision; a laughing stock.
  • *(Bible), (w) xxx. 9
  • *:And now am I their song , yea, I am their byword.
  • Derived terms

    * birdsong * for a song * old song * on song * singsong * siren song * Song of Solomon * Song of Songs * songsheet * song sparrow * song thrush * songwise * songwriter * swan song

    See also

    * canticle * go for a song

    Anagrams

    * * * ----