CHANT RANT

You are in a dark cave with firelight flickering on the painted walls. Several of your clan surround the fire and look intently at you. You take a deep breath and begin to gesture as you speak:

“The sun above and the earth below.”

“The Blessed One is there”, reverberates the crowd in unison.

“Bugs and bees and knotty trees ”

“The Blessed One is there.”

This is an example of one of first poetry forms known and it dates to prehistoric times. Cave dwellers used them as protection to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, to teach the young their history and more. If they needed it, wanted it or taught it, they chanted it.

Chants, according to my musically talented hubby, are the first form of songs and music as well. A prime example that chants can be pretty powerful stuff!

This type of form was originally spoken out loud. The chant has no strict fixed form per se, only a repetition of a word, line or several lines.

Choose any line or word to repeat but consider your choice carefully, this will be the soul of your chant.

A wonderful example of this is “Silver” by Walter de la Mare.

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

Notice how different it is from the first example. The repetition of the word “silver”, and its variations, is what makes this poem and chant.

Now here is a humorous Writing.Com example:

Up in the morning at half pass six.
Put on my boots its time to go.
No work today you must stay.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Why my dear? I really need to go.
1000 kids are depending on me.
To cut the grass and keep the pool.
Your daughter is sick, can’t you tell.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
I thought she had blue make up on.
You have sick time, now call your boss.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Daddy rub my feet and get me a drink.
Turn the TV and cook me something to eat.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Daddy oh daddy I think I have to go.
Quick out of the bed and open the lid.
Up chucking daddy is what I need to do.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Turn around and put your face in the bowl.
Oh daddy! Oh daddy! I ate too much.
Chocolate cake and strawberry pie.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Oh my! It came out both ends with a blast.
Why I tried to stop it with my hand.
I do not know! I did not think!
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Oh what a mess, are you feeling ok?
No daddy! I got to go again.
All over the wall like a shot gun blast.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
As I turned blue are you quite through.
Yes daddy! I think that was lunch.
I opened the door to get the mop.
The blast of an earth quake hit the door.
You’re laughing because this happened to me.
Was that the last I do hope?
That was green eggs and burnt toast.
Now my stomach is in a knot.
Move over girl I need the pot.
You will cry too when it happens to you.

bookwrite

And another Writing.Com example using only one word:

HA!

Now
I laugh
With a smile
Dancing around
Ha!

Push
My heart
In the sun
Energy within
Ha!

My
Joy
Lives with me
Forever more
Ha!

When
I die
You would hear
I shout out a
Ha!


nawiant


The chant can be as simple or as complicated as you like. It can be spiritual, humorous or even spooky.

NOW that you know how, just write it!

Need a prompt? My kids have a favorite chant they use many times through the day… “I didn’t do it!”

THAT ought to get your creative juices flowing



For more poetical type info click here: "A Poet's Tool Box"