Here's why:
* Narrative focus: Ballads tell a story, often about love, betrayal, death, or other dramatic events. "Barbara Allan" is a classic love triangle story.
* Simple structure: Ballads often have a simple structure, with repeating stanzas and a refrain. "Barbara Allan" follows this pattern.
* Folk origins: Ballads are often anonymous and have been passed down through oral tradition for generations. "Barbara Allan" exists in numerous versions and is a classic example of a folk ballad.
* Musical accompaniment: Ballads were originally sung, and "Barbara Allan" has been set to music in many different styles.
While "Barbara Allan" has some characteristics of other types of poetry (like its use of imagery and figurative language), its central focus on narrative and its traditional structure make it a clear example of a ballad.