'Don't Take the Girl' by Tim McGraw Analysis of Poetic and Literary Devices

Poetic and literary devices are used by authors, journalists, reporters, and even musicians. These devices enable a piece of work to become richer with complexity and depth, therefore making the works more gratifying. Tim McGraw, a gifted country singer, son of Tug McGraw (a former baseball player) and loving husband to country singer Faith Hill, has had many uncountable songs hit the top of the country charts. This talented, well-known country singer, corroborates poetic and literary devices such as alliteration, imagery, local color, allusion, diction, dialogue, and irony, into his song, Don’t Take The Girl; as a result providing a more effective song.

In the beginning of the song, a boy is getting ready for a fishing trip with his father when a young girl walked into the back yard to join. The young boy, Johnny did not want her to go on the fishing trip with them. Johnny whines, “take Jimmy Johnson, take Tommy Thompson, take my best friend Bo, take anybody that you want as long as she don’t go, take any boy in the world, Daddy please don’t take the girl” (6-9). Ironically, as the song proceeds Johnny begins to show admiration towards the girl, and they end up getting married. Irony is a literary term used when something that is unexpected to happen happens. Having had Johnny portray his firm dislike towards the girl in the beginning of the song leads one to believe that he will always dislike her; however, that is the complete opposite, and as a result the phrase ‘don’t take the girl’ changes meaning from each situation he encounters with her. Although, one would not expect the son to fall for the young girl, the father slyly adds, “Son I know you don’t want her to go but someday you’ll change your mind” (5). Thus alluding that Johnny and the young girl might share feelings for each other someday. Allusion, another literary term displayed, is an indirect reference to something or someone. Although the listeners are certain the boy will never even like the girl, the father softly comments that he might change his mind someday; therefore portraying irony and allusion.

Contributing to the smooth flow and delicate rhythm, Tim McGraw frequently incorporated alliteration in the song Don’t Take the Girl. Alliteration is words beginning with the same letter or consonant. For instance, “take Jimmy Johnson, take Tommy Thompson, take my bestfriend Bo” (6). Another example where alliteration is frequently portrayed was in the chorus, “And Johnny said take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards, heres the watch that my grandpa gave me...” (17-18). All of the stanza’s that consisted of alliteration help to create a pleasant balance throughout the song.

Diction and dialogue were two poetic and literary devices that were also included into this song. Diction can be described by the choice of words chosen or by the way it is spoken. For instance, “Johnny’s daddy was taking him fishin’, when he was eight years old, a little girl came through the front gate holdin’ a fishing pole” (1-3). The use of the words ‘fishin’’ and ‘holdin’’ portray a strong country, southern twang, contributed by the country harmony in the background. Dialogue, like in real life, is talk or a conversation between two or more people. Dialogue is evident in this song when the boy is faced with a criminal on the streets. For instance, “Stranger came and pulled a gun, grabbed her by the arm said if you do what I tell you to, there wont be any harm, and Johnny said take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards, heres the watch that my grandpa gave me, heres the key to my car, Mister give it a whirl, but please don’t take the girl” (15-21). The use of the word ‘said’ clearly explains to the listener that a conversation is taking place.

Imagery is another main poetic device used in the song Don’t Take the Girl. Imagery is when words are so descriptive that one is able to imagine the situation, condition, or object. The whole song demonstrates imagery, for example, “There’s going to be a little one and she says its time to go, Doctor says the baby’s fine but you’ll have to leave, cause his mommas fading fast and Johnny hit his knees and there he prayed” (25-28). Having used descriptive words to describe the situation, McGraw was able to portray a scene in a hospital with Johnny and his wife, as she tries to conceive the baby without dying.

In conclusion, Tim McGraw is a talented artist who’s ability to incorporate poetic and literary devices into his songs, helps to make his music more enriched.

'Sara Beth' Song Analysis (using two sentence types)

Rascal Flatts, a group of country singers, are famous for their heartwarming yet heartbreaking songs, which really touch listeners. The three men that make up this phenomenal trio all provide different vocals to the group, which enables a nice balance in the songs they sing. The majority of Rascal Flatts songs, although they may be upbeat and fun, relate to real life tragedies and struggles individuals are forced to face everyday. Their song, Sara Beth, is an emotional song which reveals a young lady being diagnosed with cancer, and the challenges she faces as the aftermath.

Sara Beth is a teenage girl, still attending high school, with dreams and wishes just like everybody else. One day she fell and got a bruise that wouldn’t go away, and decided to get it checked out by her doctor. Although, “Between the red cells and white, something’s not right” (12-13), but the doctor’s tell her they will do everything they can to take care of her; thus, alluding that something was wrong with her, and she will discover later that she was diagnosed with cancer. At this point, Sara Beth, along with her parents, are dumbfounded. All Sara Beth can think about is dancing, free, with the boy she loves, dreaming about her magically night at prom, which now seems to be ruined. For instance, “And she dreams she dancin' around and around, without any cares, and her very first love, is holding her close, and the soft wind is blowing her hair” (20-24). Sara Beth, although she is concerned about her health, is more worried that no one would want to take a girl with no hair to the prom. The most heartbreaking part of this song is when for the first time, Sara Beth actually understands what is happening to her, and it finally becomes ‘real’ that she has cancer, when her hair falls out. For example, “For just this morning right there on her pillow, was the cruelest of any surprise, yet she cried when she gathered it all in her hands, the proof that she couldn't deny, Sara Beth closes her eyes” (30-34). As Sara Beth prepares for prom, all she can think about is her bare head, and how she’s so scared to go to the dance and be rejected by her peers. "It's quarter to seven, that boy's at the door, her daddy ushers him in, and when he takes off his cap they all start to cry , cause this morning where his hair had been, softly she touches just skin” (40-45). Having heard of the incident, the boy she loves shaves his head for her, knowing that she would be uncomfortable and feel as though she would be out of place with no hair on her head. Immediately, Sara Beth begings to free some stress she had about attending the dance, and her love for this boy grows stronger. Although she was put through cancer, her night at prom was not ruined because the boy she loved made her feel accepted, and showed how much he cared about her by shaving his own head just so she would feel more comfortable in her own skin and unfortunate situation.

In conclusion, the song ‘Sara Beth’ illustrates real life situations people face, and how others adjust their own life’s to make others feel more welcomed. Rascal Flatts is an amazing group with many talents and are able to portray these tear jerking moments and situations to the world, while still allowing it to have a happy ending.

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Diction Descriptions

Gretchen Wilson is an astounding singer, known for her ‘tough girl’ act, and strong opinionated lyrics. Due to Wilson’s rough childhood, many are surprised she made it as far as she has. She grew up with a mom that was always working, and no father figure in her life. Wilson started tending bars at the age of 14, in hopes to help her mom pay rent on their trailer, and was promoted to manager a year later. In attempts to make it on her own, Gretchen moved to Nashville and sang in bars. She was discovered by Big and Rich, and has been a hit ever since. Gretchen developed her ‘tough girl’ act from her rough past and was able to apply her talented voice and life experiences in her compositions. Gretchen Wilson is a brilliant artist who is able to corroborate different diction, or choice of words, into her music. The songs ‘Redneck Women’ and ‘Come to Bed’ both illustrate Wilson’s ability to portray diverse dictions throughout her songs.


Gretchen’s song, ‘Redneck Women’, clearly demonstrates strong country diction, due to her country slang used. For instance, “No I can’t swig that sweet champagne, I’d rather drink beer all night, in a tavern or in a honky tonk, or in a 4wheel drive tailgate”, (4-6). The fact that she’d choose beer over champagne, for one illustrates that she’s not the elegant type, and that she can be like one of the guys. The use of the words ‘tavern’ and ‘honky tonk’ are words used by many southerners, just like another words for a bar, adding to the country feel of the song. The following, illustrates how Gretchen is satisfied and proud of who she is and what she believes in, “Some people look down on me, but I don’t give a rip, I’ll stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip” (8-10). The use of the word ‘rip’ is also another term used by southerners as a way of saying ‘I could care less’, and the fact that she’s standing barefoot in the public eye is something that would be considered ‘hillbilly-ish’. Next Gretchen continues with, “Cause I’m a redneck woman, and I ain’t no high class broad, I’m just a product of my raisin’, and I say “hey y’all” and “Yee Haw,’” (11-15). The use of the words ‘ain’t’, ‘raisin’, ‘hey y’all’, and ‘Yee Haw’, demonstrates a lack of education, and typical country slang used in everyday southerners lives. Also, the instrumental music in the song 'Redneck Women' portrays a country tone to it.

In the song, ‘Come to Bed’, the use of diction changes drastically. Gretchen now uses words that flow more, as appose to ‘honky tonk’ and ‘yee haw’. For instance, “Sometimes we fight, 'bout who's wrong and right, and stay up all night, and sometimes we drink, and say hurtful things, that we don't mean” (1-6). This song illustrates how a country song can still be country, yet without the twang, slang, and lingo added. The mood and harmony portrayed, also adds to the diction in this song, because it does not have the typical country instruments in the background, therefore illustrating how the diction is different. In conclusion, diction is used by many artists and provides a unique style than their listeners may be use to , as a result making them better, well rounded artist, just like Gretchen Wilson.