“There are twelve months in all the year,
As I hear many men say,
But the merriest month in all the year
Is the merry month of May.”
As we continue to learn about the Middle Ages, we will learn about a popular form of poetry called the ballad. Ballads are lyrical poems. Many popular songs are written in this style.
Ballads tell of an event. They were often used to spread the news, provide entertainment, or create a “bigger than real life” story.
You will choose a topic from the Middle Ages to write your ballad about.
- Ballads often have verses of four lines
- usually have a rhyming pattern: either abab or aabb or abcb (usually the easiest to rhyme)
- repetition often found in ballads
- entire stanzas can be repeated like a song’s chorus
- lines can be repeated but each time a certain word is changed
- a question and answer format can be built into a ballad: one stanza asks a questions and the next stanza answers the question
- Ballads contain a lot of dialogue.
- Action is often described in the first person
- Two characters in the ballad can speak to each other on alternating lines
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HOMEWORK – Write a Ballad and post it to the comments here. Minimum length – 4 stanzas (4 quatrains) with a refrain
Here is a popular and classic love sone written in ballad form. Lyrics are below the video.
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FOREIGNER I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS- Lyrics
Here is one of Ol’ King Cole’s favorites:
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Maroon 5 Lyrics – She Will Be Loved
Are you starting to find the ryhming patterns inherent in ballads? Can you hear the beat? The driving rhythm of the music and the poetry?
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Ol' King Cole's Castle 
I rouse in the morning
Sprinting downstairs with glee
I can hear bells and angels singing
My presents waiting under my Christmas tree
Boxes of surprises
Happiness bubbling inside me
Inspecting my well earned prizes
I spring with so much energy
Forceful tearing of fine paper
For that’s not what I care
I’ll do the cleaning later
Before my mom turns into a nightmare
When I opened the box
My voice abandons me
Engraved inside was tiny silver ox
It’s beauty made everyone come see
New hope sparked throughout the day
For it’s the time my heart leads the path
A time to let my doubts slowly decay
With the help of a soothing bubble bath
My Birthday (Revised)
Come and celebrate this special day,
Many people will come and play,
Presents, Hugs, Kisses galore,
May this special day come more and more!
After the party is well over,
But there are still presents to come,
I rip of the packaging,
And stare at my new bass drum,
Toys, games, balls and bats,
Maybe the balls are good for the dogs and the cats,
I give the girly things to my sister,
But leave me the new twister!
Come and celebrate this special day,
Many people will come and play,
Presents, Hugs, Kisses galore,
May this special day come more and more!
I hope this day comes soon again,
With such great pals and family friends,
They made today none so plain,
I dream that this happiness never ends.
Monday, Monday, Monday
The first of seven days
The day right after after Sunday
“Lunch detention,” all the teacher says
Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday
Students become aware
That they have lots of homework
And they start to care
Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday
The middle of the week
Students think the weekend’s coming
Teachers don’t stop but speak and speak
Thursday, Thursday, Thursday
One more day to go
The week just goes so slow
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Friday, Friday, Friday
The week is finally over
Homework is all gone
C’mon and sleepover
Weekend, Weekend, Weekend
It passed so very fast
School starts very soon
The weekend didn’t even last
Me and Jackie… Fun stuff
We tip toe in the dead of the night,
Every sound in the bushes gives us a fright,
Our hearts thump in our chest,
But tonight has been the best.
We know in the morning our legs will be sore,
But the only thing we want is more,
Excitement and adrenaline kept us going,
Even after the guards anger was showing.
Footsteps increased in sound,
We looked at each other and dropped to the ground,
Angry shouts were easily heard,
We lie perfectly still and nothing was stirred,
We glance at each other at the same time,
I feel like we’ve committed a crime,
With our fingers, we count to three,
Jumping up, we are finally free.
The crazy guards lashed and grabbed,
We squirm away without getting jabbed,
We dart in and out of the bushes,
Even through the disgusting muddy mush.
When we are sure we have shaken them off,
We stumble to the ground to wheeze and cough,
Despite the cold biting our legs since its mid December,
We know that this will be a night to remember.
I’m not that good at writing ballads,
as you will come to see,
im much more better at making salads,
or collecting honey from the hive of a bee,
I’m not very good at writing cinquains,
which must seem very odd,
Im much more better at bustin’ brains
on plants vs. zombies and C.O.D
I’m not ver good at writing a poem,
as you will learn to know,
I will wonder where rivers flow from,
(I think from old melted snow),
I’m not that good at writing quatrains
as life goes on and on,
while as it snows and as it rains,
I’ve been inside, thinking all along
Heaven and Hell, The Human Race
Flashes in the distance, a dancing dragon in the sky
The roar of a lion, spreading his reply
The wrath of heaven scarring the ridged, weathered earth
All hope aflame, and yet none at birth
Thunder roars, stalking the gleaming bar of light
A flaring phoenix soars, high in flight
A blanket of jet-black ash engulfs the crescent skyline
An incessant storm raging, hinting of a sign.
Flashes in the distance, a plummeting dragon in the sky
The howl of a wolf, it’s grief his reply
The flames of hell incinerating the lush, evergreen trees
The devil laughs, his demented mind crammed with glee
Flames scorch the air, its waves reducing all to ash,
Nothing survives, dematerializing in a flash
The roar of heaven, the guffaw of hell
Against the trapped human race, trying to break from this spell
The long grass whispers, swaying in the breeze.
It dances and shimmies, never to freeze.
I lie in the cross road, a field, a street of tar
One road leading near, the other very far.
I sit there quietly, contemplating my choice
Shall I continue down a path of silence, or find my voice
If I should take the street of tar
One road will lead me near but that road shall lead me far
And if I should go the other way
My life will be pleasant yet stay at bay
But I do not know if I want such a change
Perhaps all I want is just to roam free-range?
Yet it is not my choice for I am not alone
I stand up for I must begin to roam
And not into a field but into the car
That will not take me near, but very very far
Fireworks
Summer painted brand new shades,
Where everyone went a different way.
Our time together slowly fades,
But memories wont ever wash away.
The fireworks sparkle and bloom up high,
Can you see it from the other side?
I still remember the day we said goodbye,
The day you thought our bond died.
“I’m doing okay,” I started my letter,
Did you see through the little lie?
I promised you that things would get better,
For we’re entering a new sky.
Fireworks of our dreams,
Fall quietly in the sky.
Our friendship still gleams,
So please don’t cry.
The majestic hawk is a hunter,
swooping beneath the sun.
Hunting for its prey,
Never thinking of fun.
The sweet bluebird is a maiden,
chirping and sitting on its bush.
Singing sweetly and prettily,
It pecks its food to mush.
The wise old owl is a teacher,
Hooting during the night.
Swooping quickly through the air,
It takes a silent flight.
The chicken is a fat boy,
Waddling in its cage.
It stumbles around blindly,
Never to be a sage.
BALLAD- social roles
A lonely student by the name of Bob
Does a test on the middle ages, on everyones’ jobs
A teacher walks in by the name of King Cole
Bob says, “this is hard! what are the social roles?”
I’d be happy to help you, King Cole did say
Though for this favor, a fee you must pay
Just kidding, the merry teacher went on
We’ll start with a normal serf named Don
Don works the fields, harvests and farms
His wife stays in the house and sews string and yarn
They supply food and cloth, and other good things
In return for protection from their great king
Next are the knights, the warriors in armor
That protect both their lords, the king, and the farmers
For a fief, which is a piece of some land
He gives his lord shielding with his weapon in hand
Third come the nobles who have a lot of money
They can both be greedy or quite, quite funny
They give the king knights to help him keep peace
Their undying loyalty will never cease
Last is the King who rules one and all
He lives in a castle with grand, massive halls
The food, tax, and goods all go to him
And all important decisions are made on his whim
So as you see, Bob, King Cole said
All you have to do is use your head
These questions are actually not that difficult
It’s not like I asked you to spell Trinmotsiffirult
Catherine, Called Birdy
There are not many girls in the end
Who resist when marriage requests arrive
But there was a girl who instead
Drove suitors away, down the drive
Catherine or Birdy was her name
When she was threatened with a Shaggy Beast
She played a very strange game
Which was drooling in her meat during feasts
But alas! Shaggy Beard was a stubborn one
He totally refused to go down
So it wasn’t until a little tavern fun
Turned Shaggy Beard stone cold, under ground
So now the nightmare is done
He is now no longer a threat
Birdy is set to marry his son
Who will cause her much less fret
The streets were deserted.
No weather signs being alerted.
No warnings given to stay home.
Perhaps everyone has vacationed to Rome.
The streets have been left alone.
No one in sight, perhaps I shall go home.
No sounds of trampling feet.
Have we been beat?
The streets, over and over are the same, a repeat.
A stream of blood coming, from across the street.
A pile of bodies wearing dented armor, they look mistreated.
Is it over, have we been defeated?
The war is over.
The survivors have fled.
The city is defeated.
Anyone leftover is most likely dead.
THIS IS THE REVISION
I stare into the sky,
And see stars’ so high,
They seem to be shining at me,
As I watch in silent glee.
I stare into the sky,
And something catches my eye,
A planet? A star?
How can I see so far?
I stare into the sky,
And I see the moon begin cry,
Why is he crying I say?
As I hear the call of a jay.
I stare into the sky,
As the moon is waving goodbye,
Because the sun is finally out,
And he begins to roam about.
I stare into the sky,
And see the sun’s so high,
He seems to be shining at me,
As I watch in silent glee.
A happy life I loved and lead,
Was all but destroyed by a man of great dread.
He stole my life’s freedom which he will regret
I’m sure soon I’ll hear *her say, “Off with his head!”
I tried and i tried to chase him away
But despite my tries he decided to stay
My father, the pig, bellowed and laughed
But shaggy beard is worse and twice as daft
But luckily, oh luckily, the tables have turned
For shaggy beard is dead! And I will not mourn
He died in a fight over-a poor tavern maid
And never will I ever be the least bit concerned
A happy life I love and lead
Shan’t be stolen or taken from me
I’ll spit on my father and do as I please
Then sit by the window, sipping earl grey tea.
There was a little lonely seed,
Whom has not met his only need.
Then he finally began to sprout,
His little green arms stretched far out.
A little tiny bug came to play,
The sprout welcomed and said “hey”
They started dancing on the light,
but ended sleeping in the night.
The bug thought he had to go,
But he stayed longer though,
Both of them began to laugh,
And there comes a little calf.
Both of them welcomed and told,
But calf had a friend called mold,
So he went back to his sweet home yard,
But he was caught by the big fat guard.
The bug decided to return to his home,
But he was lost in this big great Rome.
Instead it stayed with it’s new friend,
Forgetting all the time it has spend.
A clever and stubborn maiden
Forced to marry a beast
With pressure she is laden
As she dreads her marriage feast
Most suitors can’t outwit Birdy
They flee at the first chance
But this one won’t leave, surely
Without a wedding dance
Shaggy beard is his name
Whom tried to kill a hound
His own death day, too, soon came
And he was buried in the ground
Relief washed over the girl
She’s now to marry his son
Causing a new life to unfurl
A life full of fun!
A lonely student by the name of Bob
Does a test on the middle ages, on everyones’ jobs
A teacher walks in by the name of King Cole
Bob says, “this is hard! what are the social roles?”
I’d be happy to help you, King Cole did say
Though for this favor, a fee you must pay
Just kidding, the merry teacher went on
We’ll start with a normal serf named Don
Don works the fields, harvests and farms
His wife stays in the house and sews string and yarn
They supply food and cloth, and other good things
In return for protection from their great king
Next are the knights, the warriors in armor
That protect both their lords, the king, and the farmers
For a fief, which is a piece of some land
He gives his lord shielding with his weapon in hand
Third come the nobles who have a lot of money
They can both be greedy or quite, quite funny
They give the king knights to help him keep peace
Their undying loyalty will never cease
Last is the King who rules one and all
He lives in a castle with grand, massive halls
The food, tax, and goods all go to him
And all important decisions are made on his whim
So as you see, Bob, King Cole said
All you have to do is use your head
These questions are really not that hard
Next I might tell you about monks and bards!
Catherine, Called Birdy
She is filled with anger,
She is forced to be betrothed,
She is aware of the danger,
Of the man that she utterly loathes.
She is filled with compassion,
She feels sorry for a bear,
She saves in a costly fashion,
And brings it to her lair.
She is filled with stubbornness,
She refuses to marry,
Though the suitors are colorless,
And live lives without vary.
This poem’s about a girl,
Who’s name is Catherine, called Birdy,
Though she was a girl with gall,
She’s now a kind, mature lady.
I was able to post now! So much computer problems!
What should I do?
More drops of sweat is making me wet,
Then my mind is suddenly blank.
Corpus Bones, the game is already set.
I can’t move, it is like my feet has already sank.
What can I do? I begin to hurry,
But the minds are full with worry.
I begin think, but there is no time,
I feel like I have recently done a crime.
There are Eyes watching me straight,
I feel like a weak little bait,
Waiting for the big angry prey.
There’s no choice but to pray.
What should I tell the teacher,
When I have not done your work,
And he yells “you little creature!”
The choice is mine, and was my select.
A happy life I loved and lead,
Was all but destroyed by a man of great dread.
He stole my life’s freedom which he will regret
I’m sure soon I’ll hear *her say, “Off with his head!”
I tried and i tried to chase him away
But despite my best tries,
he decided to stay My father, the pig, bellowed and laughed
But shaggy beard is worse and thrice as daft
But luckily, oh luckily, the tables have turned
For shaggy beard is dead! And my life has returned
He died in a fight over-a poor tavern maid
And I’ll skip down the halls, to lead the parade
A happy life (pause) I love and lead
Shan’t be stolen or taken from me
I’ll spit on my father and do as I please
Then sit by the window, sipping my tea.
The Driver
As the heat rose higher
And the car went faster and faster
His tires caught fire
He skid round the corner and hit disaster
As he rose from the accident
The crowd waved and cheered
For the man that survived
Luckily he didn’t die as feared
When the man drove again
After 6 months, he set a record
With his fire-proof car
When this happened the crowd roared
After he set his record
He was happy about this so
He retired from racing
This record was set some time ago
xandy dettl
table 3
english 1
Chiedu
English 1
table 2
His name is Chiedu……
His name is Chiedu…….
He goes to school.
How about you?
Do you like to be cool?
He goes to math class
Learning from the lesson
You expect him to pass
With a great sensation
At the end of the day
He goes to the bus
With a silent yay
His focus adjusts
His name is Chiedu…..
He is really cool
How about you?
Do you go to his school?
Renee Germani
table 6
English f
(the title is Walking down the street)
As I was walking down the street
I saw two people in secret meet
The second one said to the first
“Do you have any water for my thirst?”
The next street
I saw a man eating meat
It seem like he was happy
But his dog was crappy
The other side of the road
There was a child holding a toad
The child’s mother hated it
So she decide to spilt
I decide to walk back up
To find that the dog had a pup
The two people had walked away
My mom was driving out of the driveway
Ethan
English 2
Table 2
Coins jingle in my pocket
At least its not my locket
That would be very bad
Cause I got it from my lad
My best lad
He’s into fads
They fade rather quickly
No wonder he’s into them briefly
My locket
My lad got it from a plane cockpit
From the pilot
Who was giant
The pilot said “we’re very high”
What a lie
We were about to land
How damned!
rayhan says
table 1
social study
likes to play
he likes to play with friend
friends are amazing
it is amazing to have friend with
likes to chat
chat are the way to get a friend
to get a friend is very hard
hard for the new English people.
likes to be social
social is very important to us
it is important because social is very useful
useful for the social is working as a team
likes to be polite
polite is very strong behavior
strong behavior is very high value
high value is good grade for you well done
likes to