Traditional Ballads:
* ABAB: This is the most common rhyme scheme for traditional ballads. The first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.
* ABCBD: This scheme is similar to ABAB, but with a fifth line added that rhymes with the second line.
* ABCB: This scheme is less common but still found in ballads. The first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.
Modern Ballads:
Modern ballads often take more liberties with rhyme schemes, but they tend to follow these principles:
* Simple rhymes: They often use simple rhymes, like "love" and "above," "night" and "light."
* Internal rhymes: This involves rhymes within a single line, like "the wind howls and grinds the sails."
* Near rhymes (slant rhymes): These rhymes are close but not perfect, like "moon" and "soon."
Key Points to Remember:
* Regular Rhythm: Ballads often have a regular rhythm, typically iambic tetrameter (four beats per line) or iambic trimeter (three beats per line).
* Focus on the story: The story and the imagery are what matter most in ballads, not necessarily complex rhyme schemes.
* Flexibility: While there are common patterns, there's no one "right" way to rhyme in a ballad. It's a genre that allows for creativity and experimentation.
Examples:
* Traditional Ballad (ABAB): "Lord Randal"
* Modern Ballad (Internal rhyme and ABCB): "The Ballad of the Green Berets"
Ultimately, the best way to learn how ballads rhyme is to read and listen to a variety of examples. You'll start to notice patterns and develop your own understanding of the genre.