Century Quote by David Antin
“For several centuries what has passed for song in literary circles was any text that looked like the lyrics for a commonplace melodic setting.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Song of the Poets” by David Antin, 1975
Literary song once meant any text resembling lyrics for a common melody, blurring poetry and music.
In simple terms: Song once meant lyric‑like text.
Recognize the fluid boundary between poetry and song.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- creative writing workshops
- songwriting sessions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this definition affect modern songwriting?
- Can poetry be song without music?
Modern digital media often separates lyrics from melody, redefining “song.”