STRUCTURE YOUR LYRICS

   Structuring of lyrics comes in different forms and it depends on how you want your songs to be arrange. Let me analyze different ways of arranging songs that will suit modern composition outline.

ILLUSTRATIONS

  

Sample A:      INSTRUMENTALS => CHORUS 2X => SOLO=> CHORUS 2X => SOLO => BRIDGE => CHORUS 2X

 Sample A above was the pattern reigning in christian compositions in 80s and 90s. It was embraced by many gospel artistes then for recording albums. You can still use it now.    

 Sample B:   PRELUDE  => INSTRUMENTALS => SOLO => CHORUS\2X => SOLO => CHORUS => SOLO => CHORUS=> INTERLUDE => CALL and RESPOND => TILL FADE.

Sample B. Inclusion of preludes make the arrangement of the song to be dynamic and also informing you on what to expect as theme of the song. Call and respond(C/R)  tells the end of the song .

 Sample C:    INSTRUMENTAL INTRO=>SOLO => INTERLUDE => SOLO => CHORUS => SOLO => INSTRUMENTALS => CALL and RESPONDS => CHORUS 2X => AD-LIBBING (To engage in improvisation, as during singing).

Sample C shows one of the modern structures that are popular now.

NOTE: You can create a new form of structuring your lyrics, so far it beautify your song.

EXERCISE: Create a new structure for a title.

STYLE OF COMPOSITION

        This is one of the tools that differentiate composers and their interests. You must base your lyrics on a single style in other to avoid confusion and lack of interest from the audience.  The use of pronoun (a word that is used instead of a noun) is very important in compositions. There are different types of styles you can adopt as a songwriter, depending on your audience:  

1. First person’s style

2. Second person’s style

3. Third person’s style

1.   The First Person’s Style: This simply refers to the use of “I” and “ME” which are for singular and “WE” for plural.  I recommend the use “I” or “ME” style of composition for albums and studio recordings. It will easier for the listeners to personalize the song and sing along. People will always love to sing a song that can be used for prayers, praise, and worship . For example:

          I worship you, Almighty God; there is none like you……..

          I just want to be where you are……

          I will praise you forever………

          I will never be put to shame, because I have Jesus………..

          My spirit magnifies your name…….. etc.

      The second part of first person’s style is the use of the plural words like “WE” and “OUR” This is used more in church services, anthems by choir, special number by a group and concerts songs. This shows that any song written with this style can be for a particular group of people who are familiar with the singer or writer of the song. Examples of these are listed below:

We are gathering together unto the Lord…..

We are grateful oh lord…..

We bring a sacrifice of praise into the heart of the Lord….

Our father who hath in heaven………

Our lord calling your name, everyday your name is so great..

2.    The Second Person’s Style: This centered on the use of “YOU” in writing the lyrics for your titles. It normally address situations, living-thing, non-living-things, a fellow and God Almighty. This style is best enjoyed when you are writing lyrics on praise and worshiping God. King David uses it a lot in the book of psalms. You can never run out words because our God is AWESOME. Amen.      

       For the purpose of writing crusade and evangelism lyrics, the use of ‘you’ can be adopted by calling on the backsliders, sinners and individuals to the knowledge of Christ. The prophets, Apostles, and Jesus Christ used this style a lot in the bible. Examples of these are listed below:

       You are great; yes you are, almighty God……..

       You are the pillar that holds my life…………

       You are the mighty God…………..

       You are highly lifted high there is no one like you……. Etc.

3.    Third Person’s Style: This is the use of ‘HE’,’SHE’ and ‘IT’ for single third person’s style and ‘THEY’ for plural. Most times I used ‘HE’ for Jesus and God when I am referring people to them in my lyrics. You can also use ‘he’ for devil when reporting him and his agents to God. You will use ‘IT’ for animals and non-living things. For example:

        He (devil) has failed in my life….  

        He (devil) has been defected from begin…..

        He (Jesus) has giving me victory, I’ll lift him higher….

        He (Jesus) has promised, he will never fail me, I’ll follow him....

NOTE: You can still combine two or three styles if you know how to use them.

EXERCISE: In reference to this topic, write lyrics on each style of composition for a title.

LYRICS ON A CHRISTIAN TITLE PART 2. CASE STUDY: “HALLELUYAH”

        The title I want to develop lyrics on is Halleluyah. This is a household name in heaven and on earth. Like I explained in part 1, there are questions you need to ask yourself about any title you want to develop its lyrics and one of the questions is  “CAN I PREACH WITH THIS TITLE?” once your answer is yes! 

         

          The next thing to consider is the meaning of the title called hallelujah which is a song or shout of praise to God. I am sure you have other keywords now like SONG OF PRAISE TO GOD and SHOUT OF PRAISE TO GOD.

        

         Let me start with the song of praise to God. The joyful thanking, adoring of God, the celebration of his goodness and grace. This is fundamental to the life of believers in the Old Testament( psalms 9:1-2, psalm 33:2; psalms 103:1-2) and New Testament (Mathew 5:16; Mathew 11:25; Ephesians 1:3,6,12,14; Hebrew 13:15). Who are the people that sang the song of praise to God in the bible and the event that lead to the song?  I am sure there are quite many of them .

         You can use these as your references: Revelations 19:1-6, Psalm 146-150), Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) etc.

           

        Hallelujah also means shouting of praise to God. Israelites shout hallelujah and the wall of Jericho fell down flat. Joshua 6:16. What are the miracles you have witness that demanded shouting? You may not need to write the songs the same way it’s being written in the bible, but you can paraphrase or use some lines that are relevant to your title.

EXERCISE: With reference to this topic, write lyrics on any title of your choice.

HOW TO WRITE LYRICS ON A CHRISTIAN TITLE PART 1

          After the title comes the lyrics, it is the words of a song. A lyric is the body as in letter writing and easy to generate once you apply the right methods. Let me start from where I stopped. As a Christian, to develop lyrics for a song is part of your day to day activities, how? DO YOU PRAY DAILY? Yes, you do. Remember that any time you want to pray there must be title to pray on.

       For instance, you are ask to pray and thank God for His mercies, I’m sure you will not say: ‘Thank you God for your mercies in Jesus name. Amen’ NO! You wouldn’t do that. 
     You will want to express yourself by mentioning some areas which you have been enjoying His mercies over your life, your family and relations, refer to those that enjoy God’s mercy in the bible and lessons from those who lost it. 
     
     You will want people to know what it means to enjoy mercies that comes from God, It shows that all your prayers are focus on your title. The method can be applied to creating lyrics for your titles. Convert your title to a prayer point. This is one of the secret of creating lyrics as a Christian composer.

EXERCISE: With reference to this topic, write lyrics for a title.

THE FIRST THING IS TO GET A TITLE OR THEME

                 Every song must have a title. It is the first thing you need to create before thinking of any other step. It will guide you in order to concentrate and focus. I am going explain in details on how you can generate it.

             As a Christian, you have an edge when it comes to giving titles or themes, because you will notice that there is no program in church without a theme. There must be a topic for the sermon and prayer points as a guideline when you are ask to pray. These are the methods you will use to generate a title.

            Practically, a church wants to have a crusade; it is the responsibility of the pastor to check for a topic from the bible. This is the same way to search for a title you can use to compose song from the bible. There are thousands of themes in the bible that still needs to be used for compositions.

            A preacher of the Word cannot run out of titles because he must tagged his messages, also let your bible be your reference point, there are lots of stories in it that will help you generate title that you can use.

           Your prayer points, this is very important tool when it comes finding title to compose on, because at least there must be something you are looking up for God to do in your life; that is a title.

EXERCISE: In reference to this topic, write FIVE (5) titles which you can use for your composition.