English Writing Project 2 - Essay Example

Due English Writing Project 2 Rather you love to pop and lock to hip or hop or "headbang" with some alternative rock. Some people listen silently and, nearly, meditate to the skilled music of classical artist, while others may prefer the beats of rock or the rhyme of rap. Regardless of what style of music people are listening to, the truth is, everyone listens to music. Music, like laughter, is a universal concept, the reason and sources of that laughter or musical content may differ, but the act is universal.

Music plays an essential role in people’s lives, moods, and entertainment. What scary movie would be the same without the haunting, suspenseful soundtrack behind it and what love story would be complete without a love ballad that brings tears to listener’s eyes. Because music plays such a huge part in our day-to-day lives understanding music is important. Understanding the messages, metaphors, and intentions of the author and the intention of their work is important. More importantly, what that given work means to you and how it makes you feel.

The song “The Lost Boy” by Greg Holden is an example of a rock ballad, on the softer side of the “rock and roll” label. The song is a moving piece written in simple form and generalized words and phrases that are easy for any listener to follow along. The writer clearly has a story to tell and wants its message attainable and understandable by all who will listen. It reads, not unlike, a poem with some rhyming lines and a “catchy” rhythm that is easy to follow or sing along with. The story-telling in the piece is linear, telling this rather sad story, in the first person.

He lived this song and is now ready to share the wisdom his life had given to him. In the line, “I'm telling you, and I hope that I'm heard,” he is essentially making a request of the listener to “believe what I am saying” and “learn from this example.” (Holden). The song presents examples of all of the elements discussed; ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos. Interestingly enough in this work these four relevant aspects are provided in a rather interconnected and intertwined way. Ethos and pathos can be derived from the first stanzas of the song when the artist tells, in first person, what happened to him in his childhood.

As can be seen below, he was separated from his family in a frightening way. “I left my home still as a child, I walked a thousand soary miles To wait for my father, to gather up his tools He said my boy you've got to run, don't wait for me, don't wait for mum We'll come get you, when it's safe for us to move” (Holden) He validates his position as someone with a relevant message that he needs to share and the softness of the lyrics lull listeners in to wanting to hear what else he has to say.

Pathos is present in his presentation of himself as young boy who was separated from his parents and after he explains that, “I never found my father, I never found my mother,” he was left very much alone in the world; a world that is violent and dangerous. (Holden). This song is a moving and intelligently presented. It is a very soft song with a very powerful message within, partly presented through the realities of a young child’s life. This is something that easily tugs at the heart strings of most listeners.

The presence of logos comes in the fact he speaks from his experiences and what he has learned from his life experiences. Therefore he establishes himself as someone who has a level of practical expertise; he is an expert in his own right. Lastly, we are given the kairos in his choosing this time in the narrator’s life to write this song and share this story with the world. Timing is everything and in a world is becoming more unstable and prone to violence more and more every day. He makes a very clear case for his position and wanting to get his learned message out there to the rest of the world. “..

There's a freedom that everyone deserves I know there's greed and there's corruption I've seen death and mass destruction…” (Holden) The artist speaks out for the freedoms that are innately deserved by everyone; never to just a few. He speaks of greed and corruption followed by war and death as if the two are both a cause and effect of the other. Where one exists the others do or likely will. His issue is an ethical and moral one that all of these horrible things going on the world aren’t getting better and we are not learning from our mistakes.

However, the most powerful, poignant, and impactful section of this song is found in the chorus. “And I will not be commanded And I will not be controlled And I will not let my future go on Without the help of my soul” (Holden) The chorus of this song only appears at the end. This is structurally a bit unusual. Most choruses are interludes in the music and the core of the song, however here it is repeated 4 times repeatedly, at the end, like a mantra. He essentially says that he will not allow his life to be guided without the ethics and morals that a soul provides.

Essentially the writer infers that we are too quick to make decisions without consideration or empathy for those affected by the outcomes, and is not listening to our souls as we should. Although the song is, by and large, a sad piece, it is, also, has an optimistic edge. He sees himself as changed or evolving, and does not deny that the world cannot do the same. In other words, there is still hope for change and we can learn from our mistakes. Music has this ability to uplift, empower, and inspire people in so many ways all over the world; this song is just one fine example.

Work Cited Holden , Greg. "The Lost Boy." Let's Sing It. Let's Sing It, n.d. Web. 21 Oct 2013. .