ballad

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ballad/ˈbaləd/

▶noun

• 1 a poem or song narrating a popular story in short stanzas.

• 2 a slow sentimental or romantic song.

– derivatives
balladeer noun,
balladist noun,
balladry noun.

– origin C15: from OFr. balade, from Provençal balada ‘dance, song to dance to’.