STYLISTIC DEVICES USED IN SONG LYRICS EXPRESSING PATRIOTISM IN THE TWO SONG BOOKS: ALL AMERICAN PATRIOTIC AND AMERICAN PATRIOTIC SONGS

Abstract

Due to the special expressing ability, stylistic devices (SDs) are widely used in art writings. Song lyrics can be regarded as a kind of art writing so the utility of SDs is very favourable. Thanks to the stylistic devices used in the lyrics of American Patriotic Songs (LAPSs), the writers can draw vivid pictures about people’s strong love to their homeland. All is well defined in two song books entitled “All American Patriotic Songbook” and “American Patriotic Songs”. These are the two collections of the best American patriotic songs about the United States of America and its people. This paper is aimed at figuring out three types of stylistic devices namely phonetic, lexical and syntactical ones. It is hoped that the findings of the research can bring language learners a good insight into the SDs which are often employed in LAPSs as well as the writing styles of the writers so that they can understand more about American’s music and culture.