Jacopone wrote his poetry as laudi (laude singular; laudi plural)– a type of informal (non-liturgical) religious song, very popular in medieval and Renaissance Italy and originally influenced by the music of French troubadours.

Laudi usually had simple, easily understood lyrics in the vernacular (not in Latin). Jacopone elevated the laude to an art form, but even his laudi, for the most part, were intended to be sung.

This form of praise and prayer was probably suggested by St. Francis himself. The way to teach prayers and reflections to the poor illiterate people of his time was to tell the Gospel and the principals of religion in poetry and song, to facilitate memorization. It is highly probable that Jacopone was able, like St. Francis, to write and perform music. The only liturgical poem that Jacopone wrote for the Church is the Stabat Mater, also written in rhyme and music, but in Latin. The Stabat Mater is a liturgical hymn and not a laude.