Lyrics and Limericks

In the ‘Land of Song and Literature’ that is Wales, what could be more natural than writing music and poetry? So this book is a collection of song lyrics and limericks. It is primarily a light-hearted look at the worlds of song writing and poetry. But it is much more than that. It is also a patchwork quilt of interviews, autobiography and mythology. Each lyric and set of limericks is preceded by prose, related (sometimes tenuously) to the reason for writing the verse. The lyrics were not written as poems, they are verses divorced from their musical settings. Are song lyrics poetry? This is a theme which runs through the book. Nine authors and songwriters were asked this question. The list of those who contributed is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Welsh music and poetry. Dannie Abse, Steve Balsamo, Peter Finch, Ron Griffiths, Paul Henry, Gwyneth Lewis, Robert Minhinnick, Mal Pope and solitary Scot Al Stewart. Their answers to this and other questions make fascinating reading. There is also a previously unpublished short poem from Robert Minhinnick and a two line verse from Paul Henry. What was their conclusion? Are song lyrics the same as poetry? For the answers be sure to read the entertaining ‘Lyrics and Limericks’.