* The Ballad as a Genre: Ballads originated in the medieval period, likely as oral storytelling. They often tell tales of love, loss, adventure, and heroism, usually in a simple, repetitive form. The ballads you might be familiar with from the 16th-19th centuries (think "Scarborough Fair," "Barbara Allen," "The Cruel Mother") are just some examples.
* Individual Ballads: These can be considered "old" if they are:
* Traditional ballads: These were passed down orally for generations, often with variations in the telling. It can be difficult to pinpoint their exact origin or age.
* Printed ballads: These became popular in the 16th century, and while they were often based on traditional stories, they were also newly composed.
* Later retellings or reinterpretations: Many composers have drawn on traditional ballad themes or melodies to create new works, making them modern versions of an "old" ballad.
So, how "old" a ballad is depends on what you mean by "old." The genre itself has deep roots, but individual ballads can be centuries old, newly composed, or modern reinterpretations of older themes.