An interesting discussion over at The Libretto between Jenifer Toksvig and Tim Saward on craft and lyric writing in general and scansion and prosody in particular. All improbably sparked off by this little ditty from the Horrible Histories programme about Pachacuti, an Incan Lord.
His Lordship seems to have divided opinions. Jenifer casts a disapproving eye over the scansion and prosody and generally comes at the question from the “Rules Are There For A Reason” end of things. Tim, on the other hand, is relaxed about the lack of craft and is more minded to ask “Whose Rules Are They Anyway?”. It’s a bit like the Culture Wars in miniature.
Personally I tend towards Jenifer’s school of thought when it comes to the Rules of scansion and prosody. Let me add my penny’s worth:
1. Tim notes that there are many competing Rules in lyric writing. As such, why should the Rules about scansion and prosody be privileged? Well, because they get to the heart of what lyric writing is. In songwriting terms, scansion and prosody are the way that syllables are fitted to musical notes and the way that words are arranged to match to rhythm, emphasis and mood. That's a pretty good starting point for any lyricist thinking about their lyrics. Of course there will be other concerns such as beauty and humour and truth and the rest, but you’ll find these concerns in any creative endeavour. Scansion and prosody are particularly important to a lyricist.
2. This isn’t a quest for Perfection. But it does try and provide some Basic Entry Requirements. A lyric may be plain, boring, unfunny and stupid but if it has good scansion and prosody, it will at least be sing-able. It may not be a good lyric but it will be a practical one; it fulfils a basic requirement. If I were designing a new chair I could consider all kinds of exciting colours and shapes and materials. But primarily I’d make sure I could sit on it.
3. Is it worth knowing these Rules about scansion and prosody? Here I concede a point. If these Rules are instinctive (as they are to do with the inherent way we hear language and music) rather than imposed, then a lyricist doesn’t necessarily have to be conscious of them. All he needs is a sensitive ear rather than a set of Rules. This is true and, if instinct gets you through to the final draft, then good for you. But being aware of scansion and prosody and analysing a lyric in those terms is another way of solving problems. If your instinct tells you that a lyric doesn’t sound quite right, then scansion and prosody may tell you why. The Rules won’t make you write a good song but they should stop you writing a careless one.
The Incan ditty is a good idea but, with a bit more attention to scansion and prosody, the execution could have been better. This doesn’t in itself herald the end of Western Civilization. But it does seem a shame.
