Speech and Poetry:Song Lyrics as Poetry

History• The art of poetry is thought to precede common

literacy

• How is this possible?– Poetry is an oral tradition– Many early poems were sung

• Lyric Poetry: • expresses emotions • may or may not be set to music• Usually rhymes and/or has a regular meter

History

• Ancient Greece: lyric poetry was defined as a poetic verse accompanied by a stringed instrument

• Middle Ages: Troubadours wrote and performed lyric poetry

• English Renaissance: Shakespeare incorporated songs into many of his plays

We have discussed what criteria a poem must meet to be considered “good” poetry.

What criteria should a song meet to be considered poetry?

Poetic Song Lyrics Should…

• Force listeners to think and question the world around them

• Reveal or reflect on truth

• Enlighten the listener by making the ordinary seem extraordinary

Poetic Song Lyrics Should…

• Take the listener on a journey

• Resonate emotionally with the listener

• Demonstrate Superior Author’s Craft– Word Choice– Structure– Literary Devices