Summary of the poem -Bang the Drum

                                               


                                 

Summary of the poem "BANG THE DRUM"
                                                                       
                                                                                   - Bryan Adams,Nelly Furtado



Introduction

'Bang the Drum' is an athlete tribute song 

performed by Bryan Adams and Nelly

Furtado in the opening ceremony of the 

2010 Winter Olympics.

How does self-belief drive an athlete to 

reach the zenith of his glory? Let us enjoy 

the  poem.

About the song
          

'Bang the Drum' is a famous song co- written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallace.It
is an Olympic theme song.The song was performed by two popular Canadian singers
Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado,during 2010 Winter Olympics at BC stadium in
Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada as a tribute to the athletes present there.

About the lyricist

 Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams is a world famous Canadian singer,writer,record producer, lyricist,
guitarist, photographer, philanthropist and animal rights activist. He was born on 5th
November, 1959,in Kingston, Canada. His most popular albums are Reckless,Waking up
the neighbours(1991), Cuts like a knife (1983),some of his best known songs are
Heaven,Everything I do and Here Iam.He was awarded Grammy(1991),Golden
globe(2007) and Juno (2008).
   
Nelly Furtado

Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer and song writer born to Portuguese parents
on December 2,1978.She emerged as an international singer with her debut
album,Whoa,Nelly! Which was a critical and commercial success.


Objectives

On studying this content you will:

1.comprehend the poem.
2.understand the meaning of the words in the poem.
3.read,enjoy and appreciate songs.
4.familiarise with the poetic craft and devices.
5.develop a positive attitude towards sports and games as a means of national
integration and unity.

Title of the poem
        

"Bang the Drum" is a wake up call for the athlete who realizes that it is time to run like
wind and conquer his passion. The poem is about a strife for a dream being realised.
The phrase bang the drum or beat the drum means, If you bang the drum or beat the
drum for something or someone, you support them strongly and publicly.Here the song
aims to inspire athletes to come out with their best performance on the track and field. .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2-mSM0bt3Q

Summary

The poem 'Bang the Drum􀀀 exhorts the competitors that participation is more
important than winning. The lines in the opening stanza "its not about winning/ its all
about playing the game" retell emphatically what Pierre De Coubertin(the father of the
Modern Olympic Games) said: "The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win,
but to take part;the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle;the essential
thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well". The participants in the Olympic
Games are from different parts of the world-from the East and the West, from far and
near, but they should have the common goal of taking part in competitions with the spirit
of sharing and caring each other.
              The song tells the athletes to chase the dream that burns their heart. It also urges
them to dream big and high with self confidence.They encourage the athletes to dream
big, aim high,run like wind,trust in their abilities even to fly and to begin the games in an
elevated spirit.The song-writers repeatedly and earnestly ask the singers to sing the song
of fraternity and bang the drum of sportsmanship louder and louder to mark the
beginning of the games as well as to make the whole world fascinated towards the spirit
of chasing and realizing the dreams.

Themes

The song proclaims the sublime themes of universal friendship and cooperation. It
exhorts the countries of the world to uphold the unconquerable human spirit of work and
win.It demands the participating athletes to burn their passion of the competitive spirit in
a befitting sportsmanship manner.

Poetic devices

The song is composed in a way to perform as a Rock.Written in the free verse style
without having a consistency in metrical pattern and rhyme scheme.The song uses
alliterations and consonance to add to the rhyme. Inorder to intensify the theme of the
song,refrain is used throughout the song.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the consonant sound at the beginnig of the words.
E.g. follow the flame,a little louder, sing the song,from far

Consonance

It is the repetition of a consonant sound at the end or the middle of words.
E.g. whole world, it’s not about winning.

Refrain

Lines or phrases repeated at intervals throughout a poem.
E.g. Bang the drum a little louder/ so the whole world can hear. Sing the song a
little louder/ So the whole world can hear.

Similie

A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a
different kind,used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.
E.g.run like the wind.

Conclusion

'Bang the Drum' is a poem which depicts itself a strong message for it's reader.This
poem motivates others to dream big and aim high with self confidence. It's an athlete
tribute song and aims to inspire athletes to come out with their best performance on the
track and field.The bang of the drum is a wake-up call for the athlete and he realises that
it's time to run like the wind and conquer his passion.

Glossary

Bang: a sudden loud noise
Chasing: trying to obtain
Drum: a musical instrument
Far: great distance
Moment: a particular time or occasion.

Exercises

1.What are the singers urged to do when the games begin?
Ans: To sing the song loud

2.The expressions 'follow the flame'and 'little louder'create a pleasing ring effect.
What is the poetic device used?
Ans: Alliteration

3.Who are the 'You and I' mentioned in the poem?
Ans:Athletes.

4.What was each of the athletes from around the word trying to do?
Ans:Trying to do their best.

5.The expression 'whole world' creates a similar ring effect but in a different
way.How is that ring effect created?
Ans:The sound 'I' is repeated at the middle any it is an example for consonance.

6.What was the song urges to athletes?
Ans:The song urges athlete to chase their dream that burns their heart.It also
tells them to dream big and aim high with self confidence.

References
* Textbook std lX
*http://www.metrolyrics.com/bang-the-drum-lyrics-bryan-adams.html