On 2011-08-09 22:37, LobowolfXXX wrote:
From the Fab Four, I'd nominate "And I Love Her."

On 2011-08-10 00:17, Magnus Eisengrim wrote:
When did we start calling these songs "ballads". For most of the past 600-700 years ballads were story-songs. How the heck did this happen?

On 2011-08-10 00:26, LobowolfXXX wrote:

Quote:

On 2011-08-10 00:17, Magnus Eisengrim wrote:
When did we start calling these songs "ballads". For most of the past 600-700 years ballads were story-songs. How the heck did this happen?

We could ask Stone...he's the one with the OED.

Etymology: < Middle French balade song for dancing (late 13th cent. in Old French; mid 13th cent. in Old French as barade), lyric poem consisting of three strophes, each ending with the same refrain (c1341: see ballade n.), Middle French, French ballade (16th cent.; 1836 in sense ‘piece of instrumental music’ in the title of a composition for piano by Chopin: see ballade n.) < Old Occitan balada dance, song for dancing, sung poem (early 13th cent.; late 12th cent. as ballada; 1288 as balade; Occitan balada) < balar to dance (see bale v.1) + -ada-ade suffix. Attested earlier in the specialized senses which are now distinguished in form as ballade n. Compare Old French balete, balaide, ballaite song for dancing (c1320), Catalan ballada dance, dancing (c1400), Portuguese bailada dancing, dance, lyric poetry or song of the troubadours (13th cent.), cognate with Old Occitan balada. Compare also post-classical Latin ballada form of dance music (1326 in a British source), Catalan balada (medieval) lyric poem or song (13th cent.), popular narrative poem or song on a historical or legendary subject (1857), Spanish baladaProvençal poetic composition (c1430, now obsolete in this sense), popular narrative poem or song on a historical or legendary subject (1834), Portuguese balada epic musical composition, poem on a historical or legendary subject, lyric poem consisting of three strophes, each ending with the same refrain, etc. (1890), Italian ballata popular lyric poem or song (of a particular metre) for dancing (1294; 1309 as balata), all < Old Occitan. Compare earlier ballade n. and discussion at that entry.

1.
a. A light, simple song of any kind; (now) spec. a sentimental or romantic composition, typically consisting of two or more verses sung to the same melody with only light musical accompaniment.Earliest in ballad book n. at Compounds 1.

In early use difficult to distinguish from ballade n. 1a and perhaps in some cases comprehending this within a wider class.
1458 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 213, j librum vocatum unum Balettboke.
1492 in Michelet Scot. Lang. 218 For the singyn of a ballat to the King.
c1500 Mayd Emlyn in Anc. Poet. Tracts (1842) 16 We do nought togyder, But prycked balades synge.
1521 in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 10 Mr. Almoner, in hys sermone, broght in the balates off ‘Passe tyme with goodde cumpanye,’ and ‘I love unlovydde.’
1568 Bible (Bishops') (heading) The ballet of ballets of Solomon.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xx. 35 Ballades of praise called Encomia.

On 2011-08-10 08:26, landmark wrote:
Beatles, I'd have to go with Yesterday. I like the other mentioned choices, but I'd also have to say "Anna."
BTW I just came across the Meet the Beatles again recently and was listening to Paulie on "Till There was You." A no-prize to the first person who can say who wrote that song and for what venue.

On 2011-08-10 07:30, stoneunhinged wrote:
... popular narrative poem or song on a historical or legendary subject (1834),