noun

1. a romantic or sentimental song with the same melody for each stanza
2. a song or poem that tells a story in short stanzas and simple words, with repetition, refrain, etc.: most old ballads are of unknown authorship and have been handed down orally in more than one version
3. a slow, sentimental popular song, esp. a love song

Etymology: ME balad < OFr ballade, dancing song < OProv ballada, (poem for a) dance < balar, to dance < LL ballare: see ball