I’ve mentioned before
that I’m a huge English nerd, right? Yeah,
I think it’s pretty obvious. I noticed
this again recently while listening to the Mumford
and Sons song “The Cave” and noting the wonderful examples of assonance
present, especially in the second stanza.
I swear, when they say, "The harvest left no food for you to eat/
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see,” I can practically hear the gnawing
sound of someone chewing or grinding on food…which I suppose is exactly the kind
of imagery that belongs in those lines.
It’s like they’re eating their words, so to speak. Ba da bum. (I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.)
I like assonance,
though. Assonance and alliteration,
really, but even more, I love the way some writers manipulate words, creating
music in the mere sounds that coalesce when certain words are placed next to
one another. That’s one of the main
reasons I like Mumford and Sons,
apart from the fact that they use many Shakespeare references in their
songs. They just know how to make words
sound beautiful and lyrical.
I know I have more to
say on this subject, but for now I just wanted to get this thought on the page. It was just something I was thinking about
yesterday, and maybe later on I’ll compile a list of songs whose lyrics I find
especially compelling. However, for now
I will just say that for all those who haven’t heard them yet, you should check
out Mumford and Sons. I particularly
dig the banjo action they have going.
Happy listening,
Shannon
