7.3.9 More about stanzas

7.3.9.1 Adding stanza numbers

Stanza numbers can be added by setting stanza, e.g.,

     
     \new Voice {
       \time 3/4 g2 e4 a2 f4 g2.
     } \addlyrics {
       \set stanza = "1. "
       Hi, my name is Bert.
     } \addlyrics {
       \set stanza = "2. "
       Oh, che -- ri, je t'aime
     }

These numbers are put just before the start of the first syllable.

7.3.9.2 Adding dynamics marks

Stanzas differing in loudness may be indicated by putting a dynamics mark before each stanza. In Lilypond, everthing coming in front of a stanza goes into the StanzaNumber object; dynamics marks are no different. For technical reasons, you have to set the stanza outside \lyricmode:

     
     text = {
       \set stanza = \markup { \dynamic "ff" "1. " }
       \lyricmode {
         Big bang
       }
     }
     
     <<
       \new Voice = "tune" {
         \time 3/4
         g'4 c'2
       }
     \new Lyrics \lyricsto "tune" \text
     >>

7.3.9.3 Adding singer names

Names of singers can also be added. They are printed at the start of the line, just like instrument names. They are created by setting vocalName. A short version may be entered as shortVocalName.

     
     \new Voice {
       \time 3/4 g2 e4 a2 f4 g2.
     } \addlyrics {
       \set vocalName = "Bert "
       Hi, my name is Bert.
     } \addlyrics {
       \set vocalName = "Ernie "
       Oh, che -- ri, je t'aime
     }

7.3.9.4 Printing stanzas at the end

Sometimes it is appropriate to have one stanza set to the music, and the rest added in verse form at the end of the piece. This can be accomplished by adding the extra verses into a \markup section outside of the main score block. Notice that there are two different ways to force linebreaks when using \markup.

     
     melody = \relative c' {
     e d c d | e e e e |
     d d e d | c1 |
     }
     
     text = \lyricmode {
     \set stanza = "1." Ma- ry had a lit- tle lamb,
     its fleece was white as snow.
     }
     
     \book{
       \score{ <<
         \new Voice = "one" { \melody }
         \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
     	>>
         \layout { }
       }
       \markup { \column{
         \line{ Verse 2. }
         \line{ All the children laughed and played }
         \line{ To see a lamb at school. }
         }
       }
       \markup{
         \wordwrap-string #"
         Verse 3.
     
         Mary took it home again,
     
         It was against the rule."
       }
     }

7.3.9.5 Printing stanzas at the end in multiple columns

When a piece of music has many verses, they are often printed in multiple columns across the page. An outdented verse number often introduces each verse. The following example shows how to produce such output in Lilypond.

     
     melody = \relative c' {
       c c c c | d d d d
     }
      
     text = \lyricmode {
       \set stanza = "1." This is verse one.
       It has two lines.
     }
     
     \score{ <<
         \new Voice = "one" { \melody }
         \new Lyrics \lyricsto "one" \text
        >>
       \layout { }
     }
     
     \markup {
       \fill-line {
         \hspace #0.1 % moves the column off the left margin; can be removed if
             % space on the page is tight
          \column {
           \line { \bold "2."
             \column {
               "This is verse two."
               "It has two lines."
             }
           }
           \hspace #0.1 % adds vertical spacing between verses
           \line { \bold "3."
             \column {
               "This is verse three."
               "It has two lines."
             }
           }
         }
         \hspace #0.1  % adds horizontal spacing between columns; if they are
             % still too close, add more " " pairs until the result 
             % looks good
          \column {
           \line { \bold "4."
             \column {
               "This is verse four."
               "It has two lines."
             }
           }
           \hspace #0.1 % adds vertical spacing between verses
           \line { \bold "5."
             \column {
               "This is verse five."
               "It has two lines."
             }
           }
         }
       \hspace #0.1 % gives some extra space on the right margin; can
           % be removed if page space is tight
       }
     }

See also

Program reference: LyricText, StanzaNumber, VocalName.