Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (W.I./UK black) a story, usu. long and complicated.

1956

S. Selvon Lonely Londoners 116: To talk of all the episodes Moses had with women in London would take bags of ballad.

2. (US gay) an excuse.

1972

B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 27: ballad poor excuse, a fib ‘Don’t sing me that ballad.’.