The Poetry of Lyrics

The link between song lyrics and poetry has long been established. For as long as I can recall, I have been attracted to songs with strong lyric lines. I listen, I note, and I want to see more, so I go in search of the full lyric. Poetry and song lyrics easily intersect on occasions. Many poems have been transformed, re-imagined as songs. A song is essentially a poem with musical accompaniment.

On occasions, a single line from a song has been enough to inspire me to write a brand-new poem. These forms are like siblings. I love and appreciate the beauty of both. We do well to make it a habit to listen to words possessed with power and beauty. We learn to be more active in our listening, and this serves us well as writers.

While working on a lyric, writers make use of a number of poetic techniques, including rhyme, meter, repetition, alliteration, and assonance or consonance. These literary elements provide the lyric with musical qualities. The more unity the words possess, the easier it will flow and the more it will seem as if it could be set to music.

I have long been a fan of renowned Canadian singer, songwriter, troubadour and poet, Gordon Lightfoot. Here, below, is a fine example of his masterful lyrical talents. For me, it stands up as a poem in every sense. Gordon Lightfoot's musical catalogue is vast. I had so many from which to choose. In the end I selected, 'Christian Island.' because I have always found it, quite simply, a work of great beauty.

I have a long list of great lyricists-too many to list here, whom I admire. I'm sure you to have go-to songwriters whose lyrics cause you to stop and reflect on the beauty created between words and music...

Christian Island

I'm sailing down the summer wind
I've got whiskers on my chin
And I like the mood I'm in
As I while away the time of day
In the lee of Christian Island
Tall and strong, she dips and reels
I call her silver heels
And she tells me how she feels
She's a good old boat and, she'll stay afloat
Through the toughest gales and keep smilin'
But for one more day she would like to stay
In the lee of Christian Island
I'm sailing down the summer day
Where the fish and seagulls play
I put my troubles all away
And when the gale comes up I'll fill my cup
With the whiskey of the highlands
She's a good old ship and, she'll make the trip
From the lee of Christian Island
Tall and strong, she slips along
I sing for her a song
And she leans into the wind
She's a good old boat and, she'll stay afloat
Through the toughest gales and keep smilin'
When the summer ends, we will rest again
In the lee of Christian Island.

Gordon Lightfoot.

It is once again Poetry Friday! This week our host is Ruth Bowen Hersey who has written a Haibun Poem about an encounter with birds near her new home in Paraguay.

Life Cycle -A football poem by Bruce Dawe

This poem by Australian poet Bruce Dawe epitomises the unique connection sporting tragics have to their preferred football teams, -an almost tribal allegiance. Each season supporters stare down the twin imposters- victory and defeat. They remain both loyal and hopeful of eventual triumph. This poem refers specifically to Australian Rules Football, but it's themes are universal. I share this poem on the eve of the 2017 Grand Final to decide the Premiership for this football season. My team, the Richmond Tigers have reached the play off to decide the ultimate victor. They have not contested the Grand Final match for 35 years. My hopes fly with them. This poem links two of my great loves -football and poetry... Life Cycle When children are born in Victoria they are wrapped in club-colours, laid in beribboned cots, having already begun a lifetime’s barracking. Carn, they cry, Carn … feebly at first while parents playfully tussle with them for possession of a rusk: Ah, he

Poetry Friday: The Safety Pin Poem

Poets not only write poetry, they also read poetry. In order to be able to write poetry, one must read it. Lots of poetry in fact... I want to share a short little poem by Valerie Worth. I bought Valerie's book, 'All The Small Poems And Fourteen More,' while living and working in New York, some time back. It remains a personal favourite. I love the way the poet shines a special light on everyday objects, transforming them into something unique and worthy of attention. Her close observations elevate her poems into the special category. Each poem in the collection celebrates earthly wonders. From eggs to garbage, from potatoes to pockets, each object is given special attention in the form of short poems employing keen observations. Valerie Worth demonstrates through her poems she totally understands the saying-'ideas exist in things.' The poem I have chosen to share with you (one of my personal favourites) is titled, 'Safety Pin'. S af

Opposite Poems

O pp o s ite P oem s In his book, ' How To Write Poetry,' Paul Janeczko presents the idea of opposite poems. Paul suggests they could also be referred to as antonym poems. This is wordplay and it's fun to try. Here are some examples Paul provides to help us see very clearly how these short little poems work. I think the opposite of chair Is sitting down with nothing there What is the opposite of kind? A goat that butts you from behind Paul Janeczko You will notice the poems are written in rhyming couplets. They can be extended so long as you remember to write in couplets. Paul shows us how this is done. What is the opposite of new? Stale gum that's hard to chew A hot-dog roll as hard as rock Or a soiled and smelly forgotten sock You might notice that some of Paul's opposite Poems begin with a question. The remainder of the poem answer the question posed. Opposite poems are a challenge, but it is a challenge worth trying. Not e

Elisabeth19 March 2022 at 03:15
I've always loved lyrics with strong poetic qualities. Thanks for this sharing this Gorden Lightfoot lyric - I've always thought he was a master storyteller in song - a troubadour of the modern age.
Ruth19 March 2022 at 07:48
"I like the mood I'm in." That's a good place to be.
Mary Lee19 March 2022 at 23:11
That sounds like a little bit of heaven -- to linger in the lee of an island, take a moment of respite, but know you are strong enough to handle whatever comes your way when you sail again.
Linda B20 March 2022 at 03:26
"I put all my troubles away", a good thing to do out sailing, Alan. I saw Gordon Lightfoot many years ago in Kansas City, MO. My husband was a huge fan & managed a rock radio station so we saw many of those who became even greater. When I think of him, I remember "Early morning rain". Yes, songs are poems indeed. Thanks for a special post!
Patricia Franz20 March 2022 at 03:41
I am a Gordon Lightfoot fan -drawn by the stories woven into his songs. Isn't that the best of a written, a spoken, a sung poem? Thank you for lifting up this one!
Sally Murphy20 March 2022 at 17:55
Singing along, Alan. Thanks for your post.

Search This Blog