Jack and DianeBy John Mellencamp

Little ditty about Jack and DianeTwo American kids growin' up in the heartlandJackie gonna be a football starDiane debutante backseat of Jackie's car

Suckin' on chili dogs outside the Tastee FreezeDiane's sittin' on Jackie's lapHe's got his hand between her kneesJackie say, hey, DianeLet's run off behind the shade treesDribble off those Bobby BrooksLet me do what I pleaseSay a

Oh yeah, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is goneSay a

Oh yeah, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is goneThey walk on

Jackie sits backReflects his thoughts for the momentScratches his headAnd does his best James DeanWell you know, DianeWe oughta run off to the cityDiane says, babyYou ain't missin' nuth-inJackie, say-a

Oh yeah, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is goneOh yeah, I say, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is gone

Little ditty about Jack and DianeTwo American kids done the best they can

Gonna let it rockLet it rollLet the Bible Belt comeAnd save my soulHold on to sixteen as long as you canChanges come around real soonMake us women and menOh yeah, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is goneOh yeah, I say, life goes onLong after the thrill of livin' is gone

What Kind of Poem Do You Think This Is?

• What did you see?• Rhyme scheme• Refrains• Only 4 stanzas, plus the repetitive refrain• Let’s see what this might be!!!

The Ballad

Definition: A ballad is a slonglike poem that tells a story, often one dealing with adventure and romance. Most ballads are written in four to six line stanzas and have regular rhythms and rhyme scheme. A ballad often features a refrain—a regularly repeated line or group of lines.

• Does “Jack and Diane” fit this description? Why or why not?

More Ballads….

Does This Fit “the

Bill?”

Yo, Ho, Ho, Ho, a Pirate’s Life for Me!

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!We kidnap and ravage and don't give a

hoot.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho! Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me. We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!Maraud and embezzle and even hijack.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me. We kindle and char, inflame and ignite.

Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!We burn up the city, we're really a fright.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me. We're rascals, scoundrels, villans and

knaves.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!We're devils and black sheep, really bad

eggs!Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Yo, Ho, Ho, Ho, a Pirate’s Life for Me, cont.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me. We're beggars and blighters and ne'er-do-well cads.Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!Aye! But we're loved by our mommies and dads!Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho! Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.Yo Ho, Yo Ho! A pirate's life for me.

Does It Fit the Bill?

• Although this song could be considered “poetic,” it does not fit the strict definition of a ballad, as it does not tell a story.

• We are now going to create our own ballads in groups.

Directions for Creating Your Ballad!

• Form into groups of four to six. You must be in groups of four to six as each member in your group will be responsible for writing one stanza of your ballad.

• Talk amongst your group for five minutes to decide on the storyline you would like for your ballad.

• Each group member will write a stanza. Have one member write the first stanza, and then hand it to the next member.

• Your ballads MUST have a regular rhyme scheme.

• It must also have a refrain• AND it must tell a story.• Other than this, you have free reign!