Rhyme Schemes
Read the following hymns as poetry. Be prepared to discuss them with reference to rhyme schemes, poetic meter, basic ideas, allusions, and symbolism.
I.Rhyme Schemes
a."All People That on Earth Do Dwell"
Basic rhyme scheme is cross (a-b-a-b), overall scheme (verse rhymes) is a-b-c-b'. Verse 5 is couplet (a-a-b-b). For the most part, rhyming is pure, but st.3 uses an assonance ("unto"/"to do"); also predominantly masculine.
b."All Hail the Power of Jesus Name"
Each verse is a modified cross (a-b[b]-c-b, the final b begin a refrain constant in each verse). Mostly pure in rhyme, though st.1 is the weakest ("name/diadem"); also primarily masculine in rhyming syllables.
c."Ye Servants of God"
Primarily a combination couplet-cross (a-b-a-b + c-c). Pure rhyme is used in most cases, with a few consonance ("save"/"have"), slant ("extol"/"aloud," "proclaim"/"lamb"), and false rhythms ("God"/"aloud"). No consistent rhyme scheme.
d."Look Ye Saints"
Irregular, but describable as part-cross, part couplet (a-b-a-b + "Crown Him" 6x + b-b). The song uses fairly strict pure rhyme with few exceptions (not counting homonyms like "crowned Him"/"around Him"), and consistent feminine rhyming.
e."Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
Paired cross rhyming is used (a-b-a-b + c-d-c-d). Pretty strict pure rhyming with an occasional eye rhyme ("none"/"alone," "stayed"/"head"). Inconsistent rhyming scheme.
II.Poetic Meter
a."Angels from the Realms of Glory"
8.7.8.7.8.7. Trochaic tetrameter.
b."All People That on Earth Do Dwell"
8.8.8.8. in Long Meter (L.M.). Iambic octameter.
c."All Hail the Power of Jesus Name"
8.6.8.6. in Common Meter (C.M.), though both "6"'s are altered. Iambic.
d."Ye Servants of God"
10.10.11.11. Iambic multi-pentameter.
e."Look Ye Saints"
Irregular, but looks like 8.7.8.7.12.7.7. (so the 12.7. makes it irregular). Anapaestic.
f."Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
7.7.7.7.D (doubled). Trochaic heptameter.
III.Basic Ideas, Allusions, Symbolism
a."Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
The basic idea is the on the providence and leadership of God. He is described as Sustainer ("Bread of heaven") and Protector ("my strength and shield"). Allusions are made to the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (st.2), and death is symbolized by the Jordan River, and heaven as Canaan (st.3).
b."Crown Him with Many Crowns"
This song celebrates the kingship of Christ. He is the Triumphant Lamb (st.1) who is alive forevermore (st.2); He is the ultimate Peace Bringer (st.3) and Sacrifice (st.4). I miss the verse referring to His Deity and membership in the Trinity ("Crown Him the Lord of heaven..." in this arrangement. An allusion is made to this kingliness in st. 3 ("whose power a scepter sways/from pole to pole"), but the song is otherwise straightforward.
c."Built on the Rock"
The premise of the song alludes to Christ, the Rock, as the foundation of the church. Symbolism of the state of the church to its architecture is referenced in st.1, and our scriptural representation as "living stones" in st.3. It exhorts believers to find the foundation of their individual faith in Christ, upon which the church is based--not vice versa.