When poetic and literary devices are used properly in works of literature, it is beneficial to the meaning of the novel, play or even song. For example, authors use imagery and symbols in order to aid the overall theme of their novel while artists and bands use alliteration and repetition to help certain verses stick in the listener's mind. Bob Dylan's lyrics are, for the most part, very poetic and sometimes ambiguous in meaning. His song "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" shows how the use of these devices benefit his attempts to voice his opinion on war, more specifically the Vietnam War.
First and foremost, there are several paradoxes that can be found throughout the song. The line, "I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it," is a paradox since you would never expect a newborn baby, a vision of innocence and purity, to be found anywhere near wild wolves. Also, the line, "I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children," is a paradox because guns and sharp swords are not commonly found in the hands of common citizens, let alone young children. Another paradox is found in the line, "Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley," because clowns are supposed to be happy and up-beat, not upset. There are also many hyperboles found in this song, including, "I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth," "heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world," and, "heard ten thousand whipserin.'" The first example is considered a hyperbole because it is unlikely that the speaker has been ten thousand miles anywhere, just as it is unlikely that there is a wave that could drown the whole world. The last example is also a hyperbole because it is also unlikely that he could hear ten thousand people whispering. Yet another poetic device found in this song is alliteration, seen in the lines, "I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken," "I saw guns and sharp swords," and, "stepped in the middle of seven sad forests." The repetition of the letters 't' and 's' in close succession help the lines to stick out in the reader's mind. Additionally, "dozen dead," "miles in the mouth," and, "black branch with blood" are examples of alliteration because of the repetition of the letters 'd,' 'm,' and 'b.'
Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" has innumerous examples of literary and poetic devices that help in the song's overall telling of a specific message, in this case, the Vietnam war. After dissecting the song for all possible literary devices, one can see how unique and well thought-out Dylan's lyrics are. Ambiguous in parts as it is direct, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" tells a story of the lasting effects of the Vietnam War for future generations. Dylan tells the listener that by taking away the innocence of these young men who are being forced into war, there will be a devastating effect which includes the death of these men. It is blatantly obvious that literary and poetic devices helped Dylan's overall message in his song.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains,
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways,
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests,
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans,
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it,
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin',
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin',
I saw a white ladder all covered with water,
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken,
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin',
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin',
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin',
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin',
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony,
I met a white man who walked a black dog,
I met a young woman whose body was burning,
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow,
I met one man who was wounded in love,
I met another man who was wounded with hatred,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin',
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest,
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden,
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten,
Where black is the color, where none is the number,
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it,
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin',
But I'll know my song well before I start singin',
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains,
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways,
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests,
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans,
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it,
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin',
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin',
I saw a white ladder all covered with water,
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken,
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin',
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world,
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin',
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin',
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin',
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter,
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley,
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony,
I met a white man who walked a black dog,
I met a young woman whose body was burning,
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow,
I met one man who was wounded in love,
I met another man who was wounded with hatred,
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin',
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest,
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden,
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten,
Where black is the color, where none is the number,
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it,
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin',
But I'll know my song well before I start singin',
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard,
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall.
Song Analysis of "Fortunate Son"
Throughout literature, literary and poetic devices are used in order to strengthen the work overall. The use of such devices is not, however, restricted to novels or plays. Many artists and songwriters use poetic devices to create a sense of complexity in their songs and ballads, keeping the reader or listener interested in what they are saying. Bands, such as Creedence Clearwater revival, use this in order to help make their views on specific topics apparent to their audience. The song "Fortunate Son" describes the band's views on war and the army, using literary devices for dramatic effect.
Right away in the first verse, one can find a metaphor in the lines, "Some folks are born made to wave the flag/Ooh, they're red, white and blue." The folks being described are also being compared to the American flag, which is comprised of the colors red, white, and blue; this shows that these men and women are patriotic and would do anything to help serve and protect their country. There are also several examples of alliteration scattered throughout the song, including the alliteration found in the line, "Some folks are born silver spoon in hand." The repetition of the letter 's' in such close succession creates emphasis on the two words while grabbing and directing the reader's attention towards what is being said. Another example of alliteration is found in the line, "Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes." Again, the repetition of the letter 's' in the words some, star and spangled creates emphasis on those words, as well as directing the reader's attention towards that specific line. There are also several examples of imagery found in the lines, "Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale" and "Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes." The first line, "Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale," creates the image of an actual rummage sale in the reader or listener's mind. Objects and materials, such as clothes, used toys and other knick-knacks, can appear in the mind of the reader, as they are commonly found at rummage sales. The second line, "Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes," also creates and demonstrates imagery because of the description of the eyes; the eyes are not just brown or blue, they are star spangled eyes, meaning they contain the colors red, white and blue like the American flag. This also creates the image of patriotism, as the American flag is a symbol of America and the founders of the nation.
The use of literary and poetic devices throughout the song "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival has a dramatic and positive effect on the demonstration of the meaning of the song. Throughout the song, the band is explaining that he, the speaker, is unlike all the fortunate men who do not have to go to war; they have money, power, or influence that they have received from their parents and are, therefore, able to escape the draft. The speaker is very angry at this fact, and uses the term "silver spoon" to describe those that do not have to fight in the Vietnam War. These men are given everything they want in need, while others have to fight for what they want. The overall meaning of the song is greatly benefited by the use of poetic and literary terms, just as all works of literature.
Monday, January 12, 2009
"Fortunate Son" by CCR
Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",
oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no senator's son,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,
Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no military son, SON, NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate son, son son son
ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",
oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no senator's son,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves? oh.
But when the taxman come to the door,
Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give,
oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no military son, SON, NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, NO NO
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate son, son son son
Friday, January 9, 2009
Song Analysis of "For What's Worth"
It is well known that many artists choose to incorporate events and ideas of the time period into their music. One of the more prevalent yet controversial topics found in music is politics. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Marvin Gaye, as well as Buffalo Springfield, wrote songs based on the politics of the 1960s, a crucial time period in history that has had everlasting effects on our nation. In the 1960s and 1970s, the United States became involved in the Vietnam War; however, many Americans did not believe in the idea of being involved in a war and found peace to be a better solution to the wide variety of problems and conflicts that existed between nations. For example, Buffalo Springfield expressed their own views and opinions of the Vietnam War, stating that not only the opposing nations but the United States as well, was wrong to be involved in the conflict. This opinion can be clearly seen through Buffalo Springfield's song "For What's Worth," as well as showing that the war had a lasting effect on society.
There are several poetic and literary devices that are used throughout the song "For What's Worth" that help contribute to the overall effectiveness of it. First and foremost, there is a paradox that can be found in the lines, "There's a man with a gun over there/Telling me I got to beware." In these lines, it is shown that there is a man that is holding a gun, a sign of violence or intimidation. This man, however, is telling the narrator to beware; if a man was holding a gun, it would be unexpected for him to tell others to beware of the war. These lines may also be considered a symbol, considering the man with the gun represents a soldier in the Vietnam War. There are also two metaphors that can be found, including the one found in the line, "Everybody look what's going down." Here, Buffalo Springfield is comparing what he sees is happening, or "going down" to the Vietnam War. In the line "There's battle lines being drawn," there is also a metaphor. This metaphor is comparing the battle lines being described to the claiming of territories that many nations in the war were doing. As well as metaphors, there are also a few hyperboles. In the line, "Nobody's right if everybody's wrong," who is right and who is wrong is being exaggerated. Obviously, the use of nobody and everybody are signs to a hyperbole since, in most situations, not all people agree. In the line, "A thousand people in the street" is also a hyperbole because of its use of the word thousand. It is doubtful that a thousand people could fit onto one street. Additionally, there is alliteration that can be found. The line, "Singing songs and carrying signs" demonstrates this because, out of the five words in the line, three of them begin with the letter 's.'
Buffalo Springfield's song "For What's Worth" is neither the first nor the last song that was created and written about war, or politics in general. Many artists and singers choose to voice their own opinion about what is happening in their society or nation through their music, as it is an effective way to get their views heard by the masses. Because of the idea of freedom of speech, Americans take the opportunity to speak their minds; though many of these opinions tend to speak against the government or military, they are accepted by many citizens of the nation. Because of these artists' voicing of their opinions, revolution and movements are able to spread widely throughout the nation.
There are several poetic and literary devices that are used throughout the song "For What's Worth" that help contribute to the overall effectiveness of it. First and foremost, there is a paradox that can be found in the lines, "There's a man with a gun over there/Telling me I got to beware." In these lines, it is shown that there is a man that is holding a gun, a sign of violence or intimidation. This man, however, is telling the narrator to beware; if a man was holding a gun, it would be unexpected for him to tell others to beware of the war. These lines may also be considered a symbol, considering the man with the gun represents a soldier in the Vietnam War. There are also two metaphors that can be found, including the one found in the line, "Everybody look what's going down." Here, Buffalo Springfield is comparing what he sees is happening, or "going down" to the Vietnam War. In the line "There's battle lines being drawn," there is also a metaphor. This metaphor is comparing the battle lines being described to the claiming of territories that many nations in the war were doing. As well as metaphors, there are also a few hyperboles. In the line, "Nobody's right if everybody's wrong," who is right and who is wrong is being exaggerated. Obviously, the use of nobody and everybody are signs to a hyperbole since, in most situations, not all people agree. In the line, "A thousand people in the street" is also a hyperbole because of its use of the word thousand. It is doubtful that a thousand people could fit onto one street. Additionally, there is alliteration that can be found. The line, "Singing songs and carrying signs" demonstrates this because, out of the five words in the line, three of them begin with the letter 's.'
Buffalo Springfield's song "For What's Worth" is neither the first nor the last song that was created and written about war, or politics in general. Many artists and singers choose to voice their own opinion about what is happening in their society or nation through their music, as it is an effective way to get their views heard by the masses. Because of the idea of freedom of speech, Americans take the opportunity to speak their minds; though many of these opinions tend to speak against the government or military, they are accepted by many citizens of the nation. Because of these artists' voicing of their opinions, revolution and movements are able to spread widely throughout the nation.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"For What's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield
There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Monday, November 24, 2008
War Songs: "Masters of War" and "War"
Politics and political figures have a great influence on artists and the music that they write and create to represent their own personal beliefs on times of trial and controversy. Bob Dylan is a singer that wrote a plethora of music based on the events of the era, including songs like “Chimes of Freedom” and “Masters of War.” In the song “Masters of War,” Dylan mentions the wars created by the government and political figures, criticizing their choices. By choices, it is meant that they create wars that the younger generation, mostly men but also women, have to fight for and help repair society once the war is over. Dylan’s point of view, as seen throughout this song, is that it is wrong for these political figures to create and build up a war that threatens the lives of the citizens and soldiers for a war they created. Several poetic devices are seen in “Masters of War,” including anaphora. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses, which may be seen in the lines “You that build all the guns/You that build the death planes/You that build the big bombs.” The word “you” is repeated at the beginning of successive lines, creating emphasis and drawing attention to the word. Also seen throughout the song is the use of similes. “But I see through your eyes/And I see through your brain/Like I see through the water/That runs down my drain” is an example of a simile that compares his ability to see through them like he can see through water. A paradox in this song is seen in the lines “You that never done nothin’/But build to destroy” because you cannot do nothing, and you would not expect to build something to destroy it; both statements contradict themselves. Finally, “Masters of War” contains imagery as seen through the lines “You hide in your mansion/As young people’s blood/Flows out of their bodies/And is buried in the mud.” The reader can picture the image of a mansion and blood flowing out of the bodies of a human being as is seeps into the soupy mud. Another use of imagery is seen in the final lines of the song: “And I’ll watch while you’re lowered/Down to your deathbed/And I’ll stand o’er your grave/’Til I’m sure that you’re dead.” The reader can also imagine the lowering of a casket into the deceased’s final resting place. Diction can also be found throughout the song through the use of abbreviating over so that it is pronounced o’er and changing the word until so that it is pronounced ’til. Finally, there is also the presence of alliteration in the line “build the big bombs.” This song has many poetic qualities, such as that it tells a story through rhyming verses; it is also very profound in its approach to delicate topics such as war and politics.
Another song about war that was influenced by political events is the song “War” by Bob Marley. Like Bob Dylan, Marley presents his view of war though it differs greatly. In the song, he tells about the war in Africa and the large gap present between first and second class citizens. He also notes that the philosophy of one race being superior to another is present in Africa and he, like other citizens, wants war to discredit it. Marley’s view of war is that he feels it is necessary, as well as his feelings of confidence in the people’s ability to win the war. Figurative language and poetic devices can also be found throughout the song, including alliteration which can be seen in the line “second class citizens.” There is also a point of view change in the song “War” as, in the beginning, Marley is speaking from his own point of view and his declaration of war as seen in the line “Me say war.” Further into the song, Marley switches the point of view so that he is speaking as a part of a group. This can be seen in the lines “And we know we shall win/As we are confident/In the victory.” The use of “me” in the beginning shows his own individual opinion while the use of “we” shows the opinion and confidence of the citizens of Africa. Marley also uses allusion in his song, as it can be seen in the lines “And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes/That hold our brothers in Angola,/In Mozambique,/South Africa;” this alludes to the regimes in Africa that unfairly treat the citizens of Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa. The poetic qualities that this song possesses are short, to-the-point verses and phrases as well as rhyme and repetition. Both songs are similar in that they tell and describe the point of view of the artist, yet they are also different because they show opposing opinions of war.
Another song about war that was influenced by political events is the song “War” by Bob Marley. Like Bob Dylan, Marley presents his view of war though it differs greatly. In the song, he tells about the war in Africa and the large gap present between first and second class citizens. He also notes that the philosophy of one race being superior to another is present in Africa and he, like other citizens, wants war to discredit it. Marley’s view of war is that he feels it is necessary, as well as his feelings of confidence in the people’s ability to win the war. Figurative language and poetic devices can also be found throughout the song, including alliteration which can be seen in the line “second class citizens.” There is also a point of view change in the song “War” as, in the beginning, Marley is speaking from his own point of view and his declaration of war as seen in the line “Me say war.” Further into the song, Marley switches the point of view so that he is speaking as a part of a group. This can be seen in the lines “And we know we shall win/As we are confident/In the victory.” The use of “me” in the beginning shows his own individual opinion while the use of “we” shows the opinion and confidence of the citizens of Africa. Marley also uses allusion in his song, as it can be seen in the lines “And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes/That hold our brothers in Angola,/In Mozambique,/South Africa;” this alludes to the regimes in Africa that unfairly treat the citizens of Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa. The poetic qualities that this song possesses are short, to-the-point verses and phrases as well as rhyme and repetition. Both songs are similar in that they tell and describe the point of view of the artist, yet they are also different because they show opposing opinions of war.
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