Biblical Hebrew Forum

["B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>]

Hi Rochelle,

Could you point me to some literature that argues for such tightly 
constructed rhythms of chanties and Davidic psalms.

Thanks a bunch!

Bryan

Rochelle Altman wrote:

> These pre-monarchial psalms are the closest to folk song in their 
> simplicity of vocabulary, but not in their melodic range or structure. 
> Rhythmically, Psalm 96 (for instance) is a chanty. (I suppose that some 
> will consider it blasphemous to point out that many of the songs of praise 
> are "whistle while you work" songs -- meant to be sung when rowing, 
> plowing, walking between sites...). You don't mess with the rhythms of a 
> work chanty. A change from a bi-syllable to a tri-syllable would stand out. 
> It does not occur.
>
> The Davidic Psalms are extremely sophisticated and tightly constructed. Any 
> change of syllabic divisions from a bi-syllable to a tri-syllable would 
> stand out like the proverbial sore thumb..It does not occur.

--
B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13026
(W): 315.437.6744