Cântec batrânesc is ântecbatrâa traditional form of ballad which originates from Romania. It is similar to an epic poem and it is one of the most typical genres of Romanian literature.
Origin
The name comes from the Latin word ballare, meaning "dancing". Both terms were entailed by the Romanian poet Vasile Alecsandri. However, the usual term for this form of ballad is still epic song.
Notes
Being a folkloric genre, the ballad has specific notes of folkloric literature:
is anonymous
is oral and collective (is transmitted from generation to generation) is syncretic (represents the contribution of many artistic patterns, like sung poetry, carols, incantations, etc.
Ballads are epic creations in which the next themes are brought out:
the outlaw's actions
historical events
bravery of the hero
human behavior
The characters have almighty features, presented in antithesis, being the opposite of each other.
Themes
love
the good and the bad
the hankering, the longing
the immolation for the creation
the connection between humans and the nature
the revolt, the riots
the irreversibility of time
Myths in epic songs
the immolation for the creation
the erotic myth (the myth illustrates how girls at puberty long for the unknown feeling of love, which comes unexpectedly and makes them feel something very deep and spontaneous) the formation of the Romanian collectivity the transhumance myth (human attitude towards death)