Repetition: Say It Again, and Again for Meaning and Rhythm
Your goal or intent will help you focus and decide how to structure the repetition of your chant. If something is important, repeat it – this is also the basis for a refrain. A chant leader can say a few lines and a group can repeat the same lines or different ones. Repetition is also a good way to reinforce the purpose of your chant. Here’s an example used by an African tribe:
New Moon, come out, give water for us. New Moon, thunder down water for us. New Moon, shake down water for us.The goal here is apparent: water from the sky, and the time of action is the New Moon. This chant asks the New Moon to bring rain. In our language, it doesn’t rhyme, but you get the idea. A similar chant may go like this:
Rain will wash us Rain will cleanse us Rain renew us Rain will fallIn the next example, the approach is a tone of asking:
Rain come wash us Rain come cleanse us Rain renew us Rain please fallBoth examples repeat the goal (hoping for rain), and the number of syllables in each line is the same. In addition, repetition of words like “come” or “will” help to recall the words of the chant. And, since “rain” and “renew” both begin with “r” that helps as well. Group members could easily memorize this chant for quick repetition, especially if the chant leader is familiar with it and can serve as a guide.
Always remember to practice your chant before teaching it to others. If you become tongue-tied while trying to speak the words, chances are that others will also have difficulty. Sometimes too much alliteration results in tongue-twisters. Practice chanting it several times to be sure it has even rhythm and the words are easy. Word play is fun, so enjoy it! Think of it as a game or puzzle, especially when trying your hand with complex rhyme schemes and meter. As with any magickal art, crafting your words carefully can add extra personal energy to your work.
When in doubt, try it out. Practice your chant. Repeat it over and over while tapping out the rhythm. You’ll be able to feel it. Chants that have good rhyme and rhythm are easy to repeat and remember, resulting in rituals that leave your hands free with no worries about a script to follow. This way, more attention can be given to focusing energy and reaching a magickal state of mind – and that is the ultimate purpose of a chant.
Reference:
Excerpt from: The Three R’s of Chant Writing: Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition By Ember Grant Llewellyn’s 2012 Magical Almanac
Witches Of The Craft® 