'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.