Colloquialisms...Doin' What Comes Naturally

Lyrics in Songwriting Example:
"I Won't Be Home No More" music and lyrics by Hank Williams Sr.
Songwriting Tools: Colloquialisms

By far one of my favorite lyric writing tools is Colloquialisms [definition below]. I find that using these familiar phrases can really lend an easy, unforced feel to a song. Hank Williams Sr. (incidentally one of my favorite songwriters of all time) sets a great example of the effective use of colloquialisms in the song lyrics for "I Won't Be Home No More":

"I Won't Be Home No More"
By Hank Williams (music and lyrics)

Well, you're just in time to be too late
I tried to but I couldn't wait
And now I 've got another date
So I won't be home no more

You're just in time to miss the boat
So don't take off your hat and coat
Be on your way, that's all she wrote
'Cause I won't be home no more.

I stood around a month or two
And waited for your call
Now I 'm too busy pitchin' woo
So come around next fall

I scratched your name right off my slate
And hung a sign on my front gate
You're just in time to be too late
And I won't be home no more.

Well, you're just in time to turn around
And drive your buggy back to town
You looked me up I turned you down
And I won't be home no more

You're just in time to change your tune
Go tell your troubles to the moon
And call around next May or June
'Cause I won't be home no more.

I used to be the patient kind
Believed each alibi
But that's all done, I 've changed my mind
I 've got new fish to fry

Well, you're just in time to celebrate
The things you didn't calculate
You're just in time to be too late
And I won't be home no more.

I recognized at least seven colloquialisms in these lyrics. And although this isn't necessarily a colloquialism (and some may argue that point), I have to say that my favorite phrase in the song is 'Well, you're just in time to celebrate the things you didn't calculate' -- I certainly would have never thought of rhyming 'celebrate' with 'calculate' -- gotta love that Hank!

Definition:

Colloquialism: familiar expressions; phrases or idioms characteristic of informal speech (i.e. now or never, your place or mine, sooner or later) (note: idiom = language or dialect of a people)


The Original Singles Collection (CD) by Hank Williams with "I Won't Be Home No More"

Original Singles Collection...Plus


Hank Williams Links:
Hank Williams: Original Singles Collection CD
HankWilliams.com
Hank Williams Wikipedia