Allusion as an element of style is well articulated in the song titled “Sins of the fathers.” This involves direct reference to a known object with intention to instill a specific meaning to the song. In the first verse, for example, the song informs that the stranger came ‘with a bible in his hand’ (line5) (Elyrics.net, n.d). The line therefore draws the listener to identify with Christianity and the spread of the gospel by making mention of the bible. The mention of ‘a land of milk and honey’ (verse2 line 3) (Elyrics.net, n.d) reminds the reader of Canaan which is the land that the Lord God promised the Israelites.
End rhyme is another stylistic device that the music has applied to make the lyrics sound musical ( Fandel, 2005) . This involves the use of same sounding words at the end of alternating lines especially the chorus. Old, sold, cold and gold, all have the old ending which makes the listener captivated by the continuous sound which eventually makes the song memorable to the listener. End rhyme has also been applied in the various stanzas. The ending of the first stanza, for example has ‘land’ and ‘hand’ to rhyme in line with the stylistic device in question (Elyrics.net, n.d).
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The use of simile is another notable feature which is a poetic device that has perpetuated the song in question. This involves likening something to another that the reader or the listener can identify with to make meaning from the song ( Gabrielsson and Bradbury, 2011). The mention of the ‘ocean as dark as gold’ is a good example of simile whereby the reader is expected to make meaning of the darkness in question and liken it with the color of gold to ascertain the apparent darkness. ‘Ocean’ has been replaced at the ending of the consecutive stanzas with ‘river’ which also represents a water mass in constant flow.
Alliteration, which involves the use of same consonants in consecutive words in a sentence, is another stylistic device that the lyrics have employed ( Gabrielsson and Bradbury, 2011) . ‘Bangles, beads and baubles’ involved the use of ‘ b ’ sound in the consecutive words. When the consonants are stressed, as is in the music by UB40, it makes the lyrics musical and the listener can remember the song so easily. More alliteration is available at the ending of the third stanza with ‘helping hand’ (Elyrics.net, n.d), which serves in making the song musical such that the reader of the lyrics or the listener of the song will easily remember it.
Imagery is another element of style that is common in poetry and is also available in the song. The artist responsible for the production of the artwork, in this light, is expected to align the words such that the reader or the listener can make out a perfect picture of the issue in question. When the lyrics discuss the blackness that is compared to gold, for example, the listener is expected to make out the mental image that fits the description ( Gabrielsson and Bradbury, 2011) . Although the color of gold is not black, the prevailing description compels the reader to imagine a river or ocean that is so black that its intensity is as rare as gold. The creativity of the music group and that of their listeners merges at this point whereby in depth message is communicated.
Poetic license, more so, is another feature that is repeatedly employed at the ending of each stanza. It involves the writer, or the musician, going out of the norm in order to deliver the message to the consumer in the best way possible. It is for that reason that the listener accommodates the idea of black gold although it is not the color of the precious metal ( Gabrielsson and Bradbury, 2011). The producer chooses the color black to signify the intensity of the subject which is symbolic imagery that the reader or the listener decodes to make meaning of the song.
Narration, is another feature that is often used in fiction and epic poetry to tell an unfolding story. In the song titled ‘Sins of the fathers,” the opening is typically a narrative whereby the soloist is the narrator. In this light, the song narrates of an experience with a church minister. Narration is important in bringing the listeners to the point where they listen with intention to understand the happenings in a specific region. It serves as folklore that addresses a specific region and timeframe ( Gabrielsson and Bradbury, 2011).
In conclusion, UB40’s song titled “Sins of the fathers,” contains various elements of style that highlight the genius of the producers and their perfection of poetry. The idea that the song starts as a narrative alienates the reader to stay calm and listen to the story and make attempt to identify with the situation. Allusion to Christianity, a popular religion, registers in the mind of a creative listener to seek understanding from religious teachings. There is also alliteration which is an element of style that serves in making the song memorable and further giving it a musical effect. Much more, end rhyme is efficient in the refrain whereby the consecutive lines end with same sounding words for musical effect. Simile, too has been applied to ignite the listeners mind with expectation that they will relate with the issues at hand. The song has also involved deep imagery to compel the listener to come up with a mental picture that the producer intended. It is also notable that the producer has incorporated poetic license to communicate the intended message in a customized way.
References
Elyrics.net. (n.d). Sins of the fathers. Retrieved from https://www.elyrics.net/read/u/ub40-lyrics/sins-of-the-father-lyrics.html
Fandel, J. (2005). Rhyme, meter, and other word music . Mankato, MN: Creative Education.
Gabrielsson, A., & Bradbury, R. (2011). Strong experiences with music: Music is much more than just music . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
