A ballade is a type of POEM or song that typically consists of three stanzas and an envoi. An envoi is a short concluding stanza, usually addressed to a particular person or group. The term 'ballade' is derived from the French word for 'dance song'. It is a form of lyric poetry that originated in medieval France and was popularized in the late 19th century. Ballades are often written in a narrative style and often contain a moral or message. They can be used to express emotions such as love, sorrow, or joy.