Features of Lyrics Dedicated to the Late King Rama IX

Abstract

           The study served one purpose to examine forms of language usages in eulogy lyrics for paying tributes to the late King Rama IX, contents in them and means of using words written in such lyrics. Ninety-three eulogy lyrics with each of them gaining high popularity from viewers were selected through social online media like Youtube and Facebook from October 13, B.E. 2559/2016 to March 27, B.E. 2560/2017.

           Research findings have found the following features.

           First, contents deal with paying tributes, undergoing his engagements, pledging allegiance and citing his unique deeds. Next, models of such lyrics are composed of the mono-pattern of AA-AA-A for four songs; di-pattern of A-B-A-B, for 5 songs; and the most popular tetra-pattern of A-B-C, constituting the highest model. For rhythmic model, they are divided into conventional and Thai melodies involving ways of life. Of them, key contents of fifty-two pop-songs mention the late monarch’s demise and his engagements, those of 31 country songs focus on paying tributes. In contrast, those of five folk songs express individual groups’ saddened feelings, composed with simple lyrics and easy melodies. The language used in country songs are of two models namely formal and informal languages. Last, means of using the written language in the eulogy lyrics includes: specific pronominal diction for representing the late monarch, and placements of word repetition at the initial or final positions of each verse line including the initial position of every verse line. Only two songs have been composed of common words.Lyric devices in the target lyrics embrace both assonance and consonance with rhythmic schemes of varying formats in each verse line. Different word categories of assonance have been placed in six songs, whereas those of consonance have been done in 7 songs. Figures of speech used in the eulogy lyrics encompass: metonymy, simile, oxymoron, apostrophe, personification, hyperbole, rhetorical dialogue, and personal symbolism.