Puts down the old ballads (4)
I believe the answer is:
lays
'puts down the old ballads' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lays that I've seen before include "Old narrative songs or poems" , "How Pertelote produces" , "Puts down; songs" , "Arranges" , "Puts down - narrative poetry" .)