What is the term for the text of a popular song or a musical-comedy number?

The term for the text of a popular song or a musical-comedy number is "lyric." Lyrics refer specifically to the words written to accompany music, conveying the themes, emotions, and narratives of the song. They are an essential component of music, as they enhance the listener's connection to the music and often carry the message the artist intends to communicate.

While a ballad is a type of song that tells a story, it does not refer to the text as a whole but rather a specific form of song. Similarly, stanza and verse relate to the structure of a poem or song, referring to particular sections or groupings of lines within the lyrics rather than the entirety of the song's text. Thus, the most accurate and specific term for the text of a song is "lyric."