By Paul Chong
A Chinese by Descent
An Australian by Consent
Saturday, 28 July 2018

William Shakespeare was a great sonnet writer. A sonnet is a poem in a specific form which originated in Italy; Giacomo da Lentini is credited with its invention. The term sonnet is derived from the Italian word sonetto.

There are many types of sonnets. Traditionally, the sonnet is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter, which employ one of several rhyme schemes and adhere to a tightly structured thematic organization.

Today, talking about songwriting, we probably think more of the likes as McCartney, Sir Paul, John Lennon, Sir Elton John, ABBA, the Carpenters Bee Gees & a host of others.

It is said that:
▪ If a song genuinely expresses your feelings, then it’s a good song. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
▪ If a song expresses your feelings AND touches other people, moves them emotionally, or gets them on the dance floor – that’s a  good song with the potential to become a HIT.
To me, songwriting is essentially a touch of inspiration, devoid of musical knowledge or training. It’s an inspiration that consumes your whole being & within minutes a song is born to be sung & enjoyed by all. A song could stir your imagination, make your heart to take flight, make you joyous or sad – & that would be a good song.

I am no songwriter, though I do write quite a bit of poems. Here is below one song I attribute mainly to God’s inspiration: “Without Thee”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If as man remains in me& I in him, he will bear much fruit; party from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

The lyrics . . .

What will we ever be without Thee
We are all but empty vessels indeed
Without Thee there can’t be any destiny
Only with Thy Sipirit will our bondage be free.

Chorus:
Glory, glory, glorious GodOnly with Thy love
Only with Thy grace
Will we know our fate.

Without Thee nothing will be possible
Nor fruit, nor life, nor spirit of survival
For Thou art the the vine weer’re just the branches
Only with Thy Spirit we’ll be free from the crunches.

Copyright 1992. All rights reserved.