Ballad

LAY

Think of a poetic term often used in medieval times for a short narrative song.

The word "Ballad" is a type of song or poem, often with a narrative structure. In crossword puzzles, "lay" is a common synonym for a ballad, derived from an old term for a short lyrical poem. The clue plays on this lesser-known meaning rather than the more familiar verb "to lay." It’s a straightforward definition without any hidden wordplay.