2.4.1 Printing lyrics

Consider a simple melody:

     
     \relative c'' {
       a4 e c8 e r4
       b2 c4( d)
     }

The lyrics can be set to these notes, combining both with the \addlyrics keyword. Lyrics are entered by separating each syllable with a space.

     
     <<
       \relative c'' {
         a4 e c8 e r4
         b2 c4( d)
       }
       \addlyrics { One day this shall be free }
     >>

This melody ends on a melisma, a single syllable (‘free’) sung to more than one note. This is indicated with an extender line. It is entered as two underscores __:

     
     <<
       \relative c'' {
         a4 e c8 e r4
         b2 c4( d)
       }
       \addlyrics { One day this shall be free __ }
     >>

Similarly, hyphens between words can be entered as two dashes, resulting in a centered hyphen between two syllables

     
     <<
       \relative c' {
         \time 2/4
         f4 f c c
       }
       \addlyrics { A -- le -- gri -- a }
     >>

More information

More options, such as putting multiple stanzas below a melody, are discussed in Vocal music.

Other languages: French.