Poem Entry #10 The Lyric
Definition:
1. A Lyric is NOT NARRATIVE ; like ballads, lyrics are emotional,
however usually the content in lyrics is highly personal.
2. By definition, lyrics are short emotional utterances of a single speaker. It is usually a reflection
of the poet’s thoughts or feelings (a private state of mind).
3. Like ballads, the meter is often regulated in short beats. However, there is much more variance
in the rhyme scheme of lyrics.
4. Like ballads, the subject matter is often about loves, but even more so about nature, supernatural
phenomena, or God (or spiritual experience).
5. Traditionally lyrics were sung (like hymns). Thus, the words to music are called lyrics.
Models:
My Heart Leaps Up (William Wordsworth)
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So it is now that I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound to each by natural piety.
A Red, Red Rose (Robert Burns)
O my luve is like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my luve is like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve,
And fare the weel a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!