Common Metre

Common meter is a rhythmic pattern that helps people sing and write lyrics for songs. When you hear a song or poem in common meter, it has eight syllables in the first line, followed by six syllables in the second line, and then eight syllables in the third line, and so on.

Think of it like clapping your hands in a pattern – you clap two times, then one time, then two times again. This is the basic rhythm of common meter.

One example of a song that uses common meter is "Amazing Grace." The first line goes: "A-MA-zing GRACE, how sweet the SOUND." This line has eight syllables. The second line goes: "That SAVED a WRETCH like ME." This line has six syllables.

So next time you hear a song or poem that feels familiar, it might be because it's written in common meter!