JC
Start today’s poetry writing class by watching this tribute to the superstar DJ/humble songwriter…
TASK 1
Watch the ‘Hey Brother’ video and read the lyrics.
‘Hey Brother‘
Hey, brother, there’s an endless road to re-discover
Hey, sister, know the water’s sweet but blood is thicker
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
Hey, brother, do you still believe in one another?
Hey, sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
What if I’m far from home?
Oh, brother, I will hear you call
What if I lose it all?
Oh, sister, I will help you out!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
Hey, brother, there’s an endless road to re-discover
Hey, sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
What if I’m far from home?
Oh, brother, I will hear you call
What if I lose it all?
Oh, sister, I will help you out!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
TASK 2
What is the ‘poem’ about? What message is the speaker trying to deliver? Who is he ‘speaking’ to?
TASK 3
Watch ‘The Nights’ video and read the lyrics.
‘The Nights’
Once upon a younger year
When all our shadows disappeared
The animals inside came out to play
Went face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears
Made memories we knew would never fade
One day my father—he told me
“Son, don’t let it slip away”
He took me in his arms, I heard him say
“When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you’re afraid”
He said, “One day you’ll leave this world behind
So, live a life you will remember”
My father told me when I was just a child
“These are the nights that never die”
My father told me
“When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can’t put out
Carve your name into those shining stars”
He said, “Go venture far beyond the shores
Don’t forsake this life of yours
I’ll guide you home no matter where you are”
One day my father—he told me
“Son, don’t let it slip away”
When I was just a kid I heard him say
“When you get older
Your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you’re afraid”
He said, “One day you’ll leave this world behind
So, live a life you will remember”
My father told me when I was just a child
“These are the nights that never die”
My father told me
“These are the nights that never die”
My father told me
My father told me
TASK 4
What is the ‘poem’ about? What message is the speaker trying to deliver? Who is he ‘speaking’ to?
TASK 5
Watch the ‘Half The Man’ video and read the lyrics.
‘Half The Man’
Since I can remember
Since I was a child
You gave me all you could and all you had
Now that I am older and now that I am grown
I see how hard you worked to make our house a home
If I turn out half the man you are I’ll be happy with my life
Show me how to raise a family, and how to treat a wife
You put food on the table so that I was able
To follow every one of my dreams
If I turn out half the man you are, I’ll be doing alright
You said don’t let life get in your way
That would never get me down
Love as if there’s no tomorrow to stand to be a man
I can’t always make it easy but I’ll always lend a hand
Through whatever comes together you and I will understand
If I turn out half the man you are I’ll be happy with my life
Show me how to raise a family and how to treat a wife
You put food on the table so that I was able
To follow every one of my dreams
If I turn out half the man you are I’ll be doing alright
And I know that I’m still hurting
But I hope I make you proud
At the man that I’m becoming and the man I am now
And I know that I’ll keep learning
Never told you this before
You’re not only just a father
To me you’re so much more
To me you’re so much more
If I turn out half the man you are I’ll be happy with my life
Show me how to raise a family and how to treat a wife
You put food on the table so that I was able
To follow every one of my dreams
If I turn out half the man you are I’ll be doing alright
And I love, l love, I love, I love
I love, I love you so
And I love, l love, I love, I love
I love, I love you so
And I know that I’ll keep learning
TASK 6
What is the ‘poem’ about? What message is the speaker trying to deliver? Who is he ‘speaking’ to?
TASK 7
You are now going to write your own poem. What message would you like to deliver to a family member or friend? Write a poem that tells your family member or friend what you want to tell them. Or is there a message/piece of advice that a family member/friend has given you? You could write a poem about that piece of advice, about the moments in which it’s proved useful and the impact it’s had on you as a person. Brainstorm ideas before picking one. Then have a go at writing the first draft of this poem before moving onto the next class in this series.
Okay, that’s almost it for this class. Just have a think about what you’ve achieved today – and send us your notes so that we can assess your progress!
Watch the powerful Avicii documentary here.