Stephen, never get fairies mad at you *BG*.

Of course, that story could also be a cautionary tale for folks who go to song circles and always insist on jumping in with accompaniment without being asked, and without really listening to the singer, first... After all, the Faerie can walk among us in disguise, and can you really be sure who that mysterious person sitting by the door really is? ;-/

As for discussing abstract theory and specific examples, your points are right on. And that doesn't just apply to the craft of song writing, either. I never took an English class that relied entirely on lectures, with no reading or writing included, nor have I taken a science course that didn't have a weekly lab session.

And McGrath, I like your alternate verse. I know what you mean about the moth metaphor -- it's a common image in love songs, but it's always made me flinch. And like the sailors lured by the sirens' song, moths are being fooled -- not a good metaphor for true love at all: getting drawn to a fatal end by something artificial that can not love you back. But then, what do I know? I've been told that Romeo and Juliet is a romantic story :::Shudders:::

Or, if Jeri really wants a singer in the song, how about overhearing a mother singing a lullaby to her child? Just a thought off the top of my head...