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common meter

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A metrical pattern alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter, often used in hymns

Detailed Definition
Common meter is a traditional hymn and ballad stanza form consisting of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter (8-6-8-6 syllables) with an ABAB rhyme scheme; widely used in religious and folk poetry, it offers a singable, accessible rhythm that balances regularity with lyrical flexibility.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death,” alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter creates common meter hymn rhythm; In Robert Burns’ “A Red, Red Rose,” common meter (8.6.8.6) structures folk-song simplicity; In many Protestant hymns like “Amazing Grace,” common meter enables congregational singing; In Alfred Tennyson’s “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” common meter drives martial urgency; In modern adaptations, Phoebe Bridgers uses common meter in songs like “Garden Song” for lyrical intimacy.
Additional Notes
common meter|A quatrain stanza (four lines) alternating between iambic tetrameter (four metrical feet) and iambic trimeter (three metrical feet), usually with an ABCB or ABAB rhyme scheme; standard in many hymns and ballads.
Also Known As
ballad meter hymn meter common measure Hymnal stanza
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