Sanjay Song Book (1)

SONG BOOK
By Sanjay Srikanth
APRIL 11, 2018
PERIOD F
Team Revolution

Table of Contents
The Miracle .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
The Miracle: Literary Devices .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
The Miracle: Plot and Theme .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rocky Mountain High .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Rocky Mountain High: Literary Devices .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Rocky Mountain High: Plot and Theme .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
For the Love of Math ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Inspiration, Theme, and Tone in “For the Love of Math” ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

The Miracle
[Allusion: The song is
acknowledging miracles of
our world as “God’s
creations.” It references
Golden Gate and Taj Mahal in
this line.]
[Chorus/Repetition: We
can visualize rain falling
in the desert]
[Allusion: “Captain
Cook and Cain and
Able” are allusions to
explorer Captain Cook,
as well as Cain and
Able from the Bible.]
[Personification: This is an
example of personification
here as they refer to leaves
being able to tell stories.
Nature gets personified as
“Mother Nature.”]
[Couplet: The words,
“surgery” & “tea” rhyme
in successive lines, so this
is a couplet. ]
by Queen
Every drop of rain that falls in Sahara Desert says it all,
It's a miracle,
All God's creations great and small, the Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal,
That's a miracle,
Test tube babies being born, mothers, fathers dead and gone,
It's a miracle
We're having a miracle on earth, mother nature does it all for us,
The wonders of this world go on, the hanging Gardens of Babylon,
Captain Cook and Cain and Able, Jimi Hendrix to the Tower of Babel
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle,
The one thing we're all waiting for, is peace on earth - an end to war,
It's a miracle we need - the miracle, the miracle we're all waiting for today,
If every leaf on every tree, could tell a story that would be a miracle,
If every child on every street, had clothes to wear and food to eat,
That's a miracle,
If all God's people could be free, to live in perfect harmony,
It's a miracle, we're having a miracle on earth
Mother nature does it all for us
Open hearts and surgery, Sunday mornings with a cup of tea,
Super powers always fighting,
But Mona Lisa just keeps on smiling
The wonders of this world go on,
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle,
The one thing we're all waiting for, is peace on earth and an end to war,
It's a miracle we need, the miracle, the miracle,
Peace on earth and end to war today,
That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be friends,
[repeat ...]
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[Rhyme Scheme: Song
uses rhyming words to
make it more attractive
and meaningful. The
rhyme scheme is ABAB.]
[Imagery: We can
visualize rain falling in
the desert.]
[Couplet: The words
“street” & “eat” rhyme,
in successive lines, so this
is a couplet. ]
[ Couplet: The words,
“fighting” & “smiling”
rhyme in successive lines,
so this is a couplet. ]
[Tone: Songwriters are
hoping for one more
miracle, a peaceful
world where all people
can be friends. ]
Writer(s): Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon

Literary
Device Used
Rhyme
Scheme
Allusion
Theme
Tone
Personification
Couplet
Quote
“Every drop of rain that falls in
the Sahara Desert says it all, It’s
a miracle
All God’s creations great and
small, the Golden Gate and Taj
Mahal, That’s a miracle”
(Queen).
“All God’s creations great and
small, the Golden Gate and the
Taj Mahal, That’s a miracle”
(Queen).
“It’s a miracle, we’re having a
miracle on earth, Mother Nature
does it all for us” (Queen).
“The one thing we're all waiting for, is
peace on earth and an end to war,
It's a miracle we need….
Peace on earth and end to war today,
That time will come one day you'll see
when we can all be friends" (Queen).
“If every leaf on every tree could
tell a story that would be a
miracle” (Queen).
“If every child on every street,
had clothes to wear and food to
eat” (Queen).
The Miracle: Literary Devices
Explain Device (Why is the quote a
simile?)
This is an AABAAB rhyme scheme.
“Falls,” “all,” “small,” and “Mahal”
rhyme, and “miracle” obviously
rhymes with “miracle.”
This quote is referring to structures
that exists, therefore it’s an
allusion. The structures being
referenced are Golden Gate in
California and the Taj Mahal on the
other side of the world in India.
It is evident from the lyrics that
theme of the song is about miracles
on earth (small or big) and that
Mother Nature is the biggest
creator of miracles.
Here, the writers are expressing
their feeling about wanting one
more miracle, that is peace on
earth and end to the wars. Since it
is their feeling and wanting, it sets
the tone.
The leaves on trees are not really
telling stories; they are being
personified.
The words “street” and ‘eat” rhyme
and they are in sequence, so this a
couplet.
Interpret the meaning (What does the artist mean by this
line?)
The passage states that all the matter that exists in the
universe is God’s creation and is a “miracle.” Rain falling in
Sahara Desert is a miracle because it’s a dry desert. Even
man-made structures such as the Taj Mahal and Golden
Gate are miracles because of the beauty and architectural
difficulty behind building such structures.
The passage is intended to state that all of “God’s
creations” in the world, whether big or small, from
California to India, are a miracle.
The writers are conveying that life is full of miracles. Some
miracles are small, and some are big. Even things like
being able to enjoy a cup of tea on Sunday mornings is a
miracle, so is open heart surgery. The writers are trying to
get the readers to recognize and appreciate the everyday
miracles of life.
The writers are hoping for one more miracle, peace on
earth, end to war. They think that one day everyone will
be friends with each other. They mean that at some time
in future, people will start fighting with each other and live
in harmony.
Leaves, despite being living, are unable to tell stories
because they cannot talk or write. If leaves could talk or
write, they could tell stories of their lives, which would be
a miracle.
The artists are hoping for more miracles where children
would not have to go hungry and would have clothes to
wear.

1. Describe the plot of your song (what is your song about).
The Miracle: Plot and Theme
“The Miracle” by Queen is about miracles of life. The song describes several of “God’s creations”, such as buildings like Taj Mahal and Golden
Gate Bridge as well as people like Captain Cook and Jimi Hendrix as “miracles”. Taj Mahal and Golden Gate bridge are miracles because they
are architectural wonders. Captain Cook was an eighteenth-century explorer who sailed across unchartered areas of globe. Jimi Hendrix was
a gifted guitarist. The also describes open heart surgery and everyday things such as a cup of tea as miracles. The plot of the song is about
life’s miracles that we have experienced and waiting for one more miracle of “peace on earth”.
2. What is the theme of your song? Why is this a possible theme? Provide one properly cited quote to support your theme. YOU MUST EXPLAIN HOW YOUR
QUOTE SUPPORTS/PROVES THAT YOUR THEME IS ACCURATE.
The theme of the song is recognizing and appreciating the wonders of life, small or big. These wonders, described as miracles in the song are either
created by Mother Nature or God. The song starts with “every drop of rain that fall in Sahara Desert says it all” (Queen). Sahara Desert is one
of driest places on our planet, but it does rain there. Such a rain is a “miracle” as it is not expected in this type of arid region. The other
miracles described in the song are “open hearts and surgery, Sunday mornings with a cup of tea” (Queen). Open heart surgeries are truly a
miracle as a machine takes over the function of heart and lungs while a surgeon repairs a heart. This has saved many human lives. The
writers’ recognition of having a cup of team on Sunday mornings as miracle makes sense too. Human beings live in such a fast-paced world
these days that we are no longer enjoying simple pleasures of life such as relaxed morning sipping a cup of tea. Hence, when one finds time
for such small activities, it gives one immense pleasure and that is indeed a miracle.

[Figurative language: By
“strings already broken,”
Denver means that he
has cut off his past ties
and came to Rocky
Mountains for a new
life.]
[Figurative language: It
does not actually rain fire
in the sky, Denver is using
this as figurative
language to mean that he
saw a meteor shower.]
[Imagery: In this
passage, Denver paints
a picture of a man
walking in a pristine
forest with rivers, and
no humans in sight. He
sees a lake surrounded
by the mountains.]
Rocky Mountain High
by John Denver
He was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door
When he first came to the mountains, his life was far away on the road and hanging by a song
But the strings already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast, and it don't last for long
And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby
repetition/chorus
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend, but kept the memory
Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams, seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight is turned inside himself, to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake
And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
repetition/chorus You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high
Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land
And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poor man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky Mountain high, the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high
Writer(s): Mike Taylor, John Denver
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[Rhyme Scheme:
Denver uses a rhyme
scheme (song, long) to
make the lyrics livelier
and sound more
pleasant.]
[ Allusions: Denver is alluding
to a friend he lost, whose
memory he has in his mind. ]
[Allusions: Here Denver is
alluding to the proposed
construction in the Rockies
to bring more tourism.
Denver is concerned that
the pristine land will get
ruined when more people
come. ]

Literary
Device Used
Metaphor
Figurative
Language
and
couplet
Rhyme Scheme
and
Figurative
Language
Quote
“The shadows from the
starlight are softer than a
lullaby” (Denver).
“And the Colorado Rocky
Mountain high, I’ve seen it
raining fire in the sky”
(Denver).
“...his life was far away on the
road and hanging by a song
But the strings already broken,
and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast, and it
don't last for long" (Denver).
Rocky Mountain High: Literary Devices
Explain Device (Why is the quote a
simile?)
This sentence directly compares the
shadows to a lullaby without using
“like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a
metaphor.
Fire does not really rain down from
the sky. Hence it is considered
figurative language.
The words “high” and “sky” rhyme,
forming a couplet.
Denver is using a rhyme scheme here
to make the song livelier. The word,
“song” rhymes with “long”.
“The strings already broken” doesn’t
mean a real broken string. It’s a
figurative language.
Interpret the meaning (What does the artist mean by this
line?)
Denver is trying to convey that the shadows cast by
starlight are very soft and faint, unlike the clearly visible
shadows of the daytime. This is likely due to lack of any
other lights such as city lights or moonlight. Since lullabies
are very soft in sound to help babies sleep, his comparison
makes us easily understand how soft the shadows are.
Denver is using the term to likely explain the meteor
showers he witnessed from the Rocky Mountains.
Denver is explaining here about a person who has last his
past life and has come to Rocky Mountains for a new life.
“The strings already broken” means he has severed any
links he has to his past and he doesn’t really care about
the past anymore.
Imagery
“Now he walks in quiet
solitude, the forest and the
streams, seeking grace in
every step he takes”
(Denver).
These words form an image inside
reader’s mind of person talking a walk
along a river inside a forest.
In this passage, Denver tells us of a man walking in a
pristine forest with rivers, and no humans in sight.
The man is feeling blissful as he takes in the beauty of
the nature surrounding him.
Allusion
“And he lost a friend but kept
the memory” (Denver).
This is an allusion because Denver is
referring to a friend he lost.
Denver is singing about a friend he lost around the
time he wrote this song. Denver continues to
remember the friend.
Allusion
“Why they try to tear the
mountains down to bring in a
couple more
More people, more scars upon
the land” (Denver).
This is an allusion as it refers to
destroying parts of the Rocky
Mountain to bring more people.
Denver is questioning the decision (perhaps by the
government) to destroy part of the mountains so more
people can come to the Rockies (perhaps for tourism).
Denver is saying more people coming in will destroy the
area.

1. Describe the plot of your song (what is your song about).
Rocky Mountain High: Plot and Theme
“Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver describes the life of man who leaves behind his current life and moves to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain High. He
seems to have come to Rocky Mountains in search of peace and tranquility. He is hoping to find it in the natural, scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
2. What is the theme of your song? Why is this a possible theme? Provide one properly cited quote to support your theme. YOU MUST EXPLAIN HOW YOUR
QUOTE SUPPORTS/PROVES THAT YOUR THEME IS ACCURATE.
The theme of the song, “Rocky Mountain High” is that experiencing, appreciating and preserving nature is vital for one’s happiness. The song’s third
stanza reads as “He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below” and “Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the
streams, seeking grace in every step he takes. His sight is turned inside himself, to try and understand the serenity of a clear blue mountain
lake” (Denver). This quote describes the experience of a person exploring the wilderness of Rocky Mountains. His mind is trying to grasp the
serenity of the beautiful lake as he is walking all alone in the forest. He is enjoying the beauty of the scenery around him as his mind becomes
calm like the lake he is passing by. The song’s last stanza reads “I know he’d be a poor man if he never saw an eagle fly” (Denver). This quote
clearly proves the theme of the song. Denver thinks man who has never seen an eagle fly is poor. He means poor in spirit, not in terms of
money. Also, the “seen an eagle fly” has a broader meaning here. It means someone has never appreciated the wonders of nature is poor in
experiencing life. The theme about persevering nature comes through in the song’s fifth stanza, which states “Why they try to tear the
mountains down to bring in a couple more, More people, more scars upon the land “(Denver). In this quote, Denver is talking about a construction project
in the Rocky Mountains that will destroy part of the mountain, perhaps for building homes or housing tourists. He is against this destruction of nature as
it will scar the pristine beauty of the mountains. It is very clear that Denver wants to convey the importance of preserving nature in this quote.

[1. Simile: The phrase “like a
wonderland” is a simile as it
compares the world of math to a
wonderland using the word, “like”.]
[2. Metaphor: The phrase “nature
is a book written in the language”
is a metaphor as the comparison
between nature and book is direct
without usage of “like“.]
[11. Chorus/Repetition: The
sentences “It’s marvelous, magical,
mathematics! Mathe-magic! Repeats
after every stanza in the song.]
[3. Personification: Calling zero a
hero is giving it human qualities;
hence this is an example of
personification.]
[13. Oxymoron: A hero, be definition is
person recognized for their heroic
deeds. Therefore, unsung hero is an
oxymoron. The phrase “predictably
unpredictable” is also an oxymoron as
they are contradictory words.]
[9. Symbolism: The phrase
“Darkness would be driven out” is
symbolic of a world where there
would be hate and fight.]
[12. Figurative language: The phrase
“melting pot” is a figurative language
as it does not a pot that is melting. It
means a place where different
peoples, styles, etc. live together.]
For the Love of Math
By Sanjay Srikanth
Between the humble zero and the mighty infinity
Lies the fascinating world of mathematics
From algebra to geometry
It’s like a wonderland for number fanatics
It’s marvelous, magical, mathematics! Mathe-magic!
Nature is a book written in the language of geometry
Sunflowers arrange their seeds in pattern known as Fibonacci
Snowflakes that is unique yet in perfect symmetry
Bees keep honey in hexagons for storage efficiency
It’s marvelous, magical, mathematics! Mathe-magic!
No one ever thinks much of zero
In this world of numbers, it is an unsung hero
So much so, it deserves its own ode (couplet)
As there would be no computers without the binary code
It’s marvelous, magical, mathematics! Mathe-magic!
Let’s stand up to applaud the prime numbers
They protect our private data from evil hackers
Not the ones to toot their horn
Predictably unpredictable (oxymoron), they can lash out in anger! z
It’s marvelous, magical, mathematics! Mathe-magic!
If only people thought more mathematically
Our world would be minus hatred and plus harmony
Darkness would be driven out and happiness would multiply
In our ever-changing melting pot society (figurative language)
It’s marvelous, magical, mathematics! Mathe-magic!
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[10. Rhyme Scheme: This is ABAB
rhyme scheme as infinity rhymes
with geometry. And mathematics
rhymes with fanatics]
[5. Alliteration: “Marvelous, magical,
mathematics” is alliteration because
all three of these words have the
same beginning sound.]
[7. Allusion: “Fibonacci numbers”,
named after famous Italian
mathematicians are a series of
numbers in which each number is
the sum of the two preceding
numbers.
The reference to “hackers” here is
another example of allusion.]
[14. Couplet: The words, “zero” &
“code” rhyme, in a pair of successive
lines. The words, “ode” and “code”
rhyme in a pair of successive lines.
Hence these are two examples of
couplets.]
[8. Onomatopoeia: The word,
“toot” is onomatopoeia as it
mimics the sound of a horn. ]
[6. Hyperbole: The sentence “lash out
in anger” is a hyperbole as numbers
are not really going to lash out in
anger. It is also an example of
personification as it assigns human
like attributes to prime numbers.]
[4. Imagery: A world without
hatred and filled with harmony
evokes an image of people living
happily without war.]

Inspiration, Theme, and Tone in “For the Love of Math”
My inspiration for this song comes from my love of mathematics. I want to be a mathematician one day and I hope to apply its principles to solve
world’s problems. I get disheartened when I see several of my friends either hating math or are being fearful of math. The theme of this song is
that mathematics is not only some difficult equation to solve but it can be found all over nature. Without math, there are no computers and
subsequently no video games, no smartphone apps, and no fun in life either! My love for math is obvious in the tone of my song. I hope by listening
to my song at least some people will change their mind on math and begin appreciating it just like I do. However, I understand that not everybody
is good at math.

The End