- Introduction
Learn- Try It
- Task
Learn
The Importance of Music
Music is a reflection of the common people. Think about music today - jazz, rap, country, blues, and rock. Most of the songs reflect the lives of the people. The themes haven't changed much throughout the years. Most cultures have music even if the people can't read and write. Music springs up from the souls of people today just as it did a thousand years ago.
Ballads
You've already learned that the common people in the Middle Ages could not read and write. But, like most common people today, they enjoyed music and took great pleasure in singing and listening to ballads. Ballads are songs that tell the story of the lives of ordinary people. Topics of ballads include the everyday life: family quarrels, love, jealousy, bravery, loyalty, revenge, death, war.
Generations after generations sang these ballads before they were collected and written down. It is impossible to determine who the original authors were, and as the stories were told and retold, they were changed slightly.
Many of them, therefore, have several versions. Wherever the English and Scottish people went, they took their music with them. Many eventually immigrated to America, bringing their songs with them and some versions of these early songs have remained in our culture.
Barbara Allan
The old ballads are usually simple and direct. Little background is given, so the listener must supply his own details. Often, the details the listener supplies are details from his or her life. The fact that the songs can be applied to many lives is one thing that has kept them alive. The ballad we will read is called "Barbara Allan." There are many versions of this tragic love ballad. It is still sung in England, Scotland, and America. Some ninety-two versions have been counted in this country alone. The selection you will read is probably one of the oldest versions. Read the ballad first, and then listen to the song.
Read "Barbara Allen"
Improving Reading Comprehension
Regardless of what you are reading, keep your mind active by constantly asking yourself who? what? when? where? why? and how?
These are the questions that will help guide you as you strive to improve your reading comprehension. One bonus that comes from improving reading comprehension--in addition to improving your grades--will be a greater enjoyment of reading. It is easier to enjoy reading when you understand what you read.
let's answer the questions together about Barbara Allan.
Do you know the answers to the five Ws and H?
Q: Who is the ballad about?
A: Barbara Allan and her love for Sir John Graeme.
Q: What is the ballad about?
A: Sir John's friends went to ask Barbara Allan to come to Sir John's bedside because he was dying of a broken heart because he lost Barbara's love.
Q: When did it take place? Is there a particular season, month, time?
A: Martinmas time, which was in the fall, early November.
Q: Where did the events happen?
A: The poem takes place at Barbara Allan's and at Sir John Graeme's place in the West Country.
Q: Why did it happen?
A: Sir John Graeme fell ill and died. Since her love died for her, Barbara Allan died for him the next day.
Q: How did it happen?
A: Graeme sent his men to get Barbara Allan, but by the time she got there he was gravely ill. She walked slowly to his house, and treated him harshly. He told his friends to be kind to her. Sir John died as she was walking home; she died the next day.They were united in death when the rose and the brier grew together above their graves.
Get Up and Bar the Door
The next ballad is called "Get Up and Bar the Door." If someone is going to "bar" the door, what do you think he will do? Yes, lock the door. The ballad begins with the couple having an argument about who will get up to lock the door. They make this into a game, so the first one to speak, locks the door. As you read, answer the six questions: who, what, when, where, why, how.
Read "Get Up and Bar the Door"
Listen "Get Up and Bar the Door"
Edward, Edward
In the poem "Edward, Edward" a mother is questioning her son about the blood found on his sword. He has several excuses, but then he admits what he has done. Remember to answer the six questions: who, what, when, where, why, how.
Read "Edward, Edward"
Listen "Edward, Edward"
Lord Randall
The final ballad of the unit is called "Lord Randall." The dialogue is between the young Lord and his mother. The mother is asking her son several questions, and then she found out that he had been poisoned. As you read, answer the six questions: who, what, when, where, why, how.
Read "Lord Randall"
Listen "Lord Randall"
 |
 |