Page 54 - Song Maps - A New System to Write Your Best Lyrics - Simon Hawkins

Wakes up my heart
Each moment's a step t'ward my dream Can't wait for the journey ahead
I've come too far to forget, to...
Chorus
Bridge
I'm thankful for the wonder of it all Don't care if I stumble or fall, Cause I'll always...
Chorus
Words and music by Simon Hawkins
Copyright © 2016 Great British Music (Adm. by Music Services) Lyrics Used By Permission, All Rights Reserved
A few points I'd make:
1. Note the lyric is written in a 6/8 time signature, which might help you read it.
2. You can see the contrast between the low in Verse 1 ("weighed down") and the high in the
Chorus ("follow the dream").
3. You can see how the Chorus is recolored by both Verse 2 and the Bridge, both of which move
along the plot rather than simply restating where we were in Verse 1 with different words or
pictures.
4. There is a natural lead-up to each Chorus from all three sections (V1, V2 and Bridge). The Pre-
Chorus is a brilliant way of making that happen.
5. Notice how there is quite some variation in the length of line in each section. For example the
length of lines in the Pre-Chorus is different from the Verses, the length of lines in the Chorus is different from the Pre-Chorus. As someone who loves writing melodies, I love that variation, especially if a Chorus opens up space for lines to help make good prosody.
6. While the writable idea is incredibly helpful in informing what each section should say, there is some latitude when it comes to actually writing the lyric. For example, the Bridge just worked better using the word "thankful" rather than "gratitude" or "grateful" (and it sings better), and the "stumble and fall" line seemed stronger than "come join the dance" as I'd initially planned.
Variations on Tension/Response
There are many ways Tension/Response can be written. For example,
It isn't necessarily just about moving from a sad place to a happier place–it can be creating some tension in Verse 1 that is somehow released in the Chorus and developed further in Verse 2. Some variations of Tension/Response can be less dramatic and much more subtle–for example, the beautiful crafting of Mark Hall and Bernie Herms in their "Broken Together" by Casting Crowns. There's also a touch of love in the face of adversity when the Chorus casts a ray of hope: "Could we just be broken together?"