The Broadside Ballad

A broadside ballad is a type of printed song or poem that was popular from the 16th to 19th centuries. Typically sold on single sheets of paper called broadsides, these ballads told stories about current events, famous people, love, or crime in catchy, rhymed verse. They served as a form of popular journalism and entertainment, making news accessible to the general public. Their vivid lyrics and simple melodies helped spread news and popular culture before the advent of mass media like newspapers and radio.