The sweeping rhyme is a rhyme scheme without a clear pattern and is related to the refrain we know from the music. A recurring sequence of sounds, words, groups of words, and verses between the verses of a text, at the end, beginning, or a repetitive end-rhyme within a stanza, is designated as a sweep.
We distinguish between liquid and solid sweep. If the sweep is fluid, it is slightly altered on every repetition, if it is fixed, the wording or sound remains the same in the repetition.
There are five different forms of sweep, each describing a different sequence. One divides the rhyme scheme into initial, final, internal, internal, and periodic reciprocal rhymes. Let’s look at the exemplary structure:
Beginning refrain. Is a sequence which means that a repetitive rhyme pair occurs at the beginning of the different verses. The rhyme scheme follows the pattern KKaabb KKccdd KKeeff.
Endkehrreim. Here we have to do with the counterpart to the previous pattern. The sweep is here at the end of the respective verses and describes the scheme aabbKK ccddKK eeffKK.
Inland refrain. Is a variant in which a rhyme pair is repeated within the verses of a work. The rhyme scheme follows the pattern aaKKbb ccKKdd
Periodic sweep. Is a form of the sweep, which means that the rhyme in every 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Stanza appears. The schema is aabb ccddKK ddee ffggKK
Homestrophy sweepstripe. Rewrites the repetition. However, the rhyme is repeated once within the same stanza, and not once more (aabbcc ddKKeeKKff).
Tip: The rhyme schema is usually specified using letters. In the examples given, the abbreviation KK stands for the sweep. An exact derivation of this designation can be found in the relevant article → Reimschema.
Note: The indicated rhymes are all examples. The respective statements on the position of the relevant turn-around can, of course, also be applied to all the other rhyme schemes and are nevertheless valid.
The sweep as a refrain
In numerous specialist books, we find under the entry Kehrreim a forwarding to the French equivalent of the refrain. However, this classification is problematic.
This is due to the fact that pop music meets us with a fairly simple pattern. We generally understand under a refrain that a line is repeated between the individual verses of a poem or song. If we compare this with the table above, it is striking that this complex and well-known refrain sequence is not represented.
If we interpret the sweeping rhyme as a German correspondence for the French word “refrain,” we must take a look at the significance of the music in particular.
The chorus (chorus) is usually repeated in the music between the individual strophes of a song, sometimes slightly altered (liquid sweep rhyme) and often repeated at the end of a work in a loop. Through this repetition, it is usually the refrain, which we remember after hearing.
Example in the child’s ‘All children learn to read’
The above song has been known to most people since their childhood. The blue marking highlights the recurring refrain. This, however, does not correspond to any of the presented rhyming schematics of the sweepstripe. Still, we can call the pattern a fixed sweep, by simply extending it to the music.
Note: In principle, however, we can describe the refrain as a periodic sequence of sweep and / or rhyme. An even more precise differentiation is hardly necessary and then the schema is also effortless to apply the refrain.
The most important overview
The reverse is the German equivalent of the refrain that we know from the music. He does, however, mean more than the simple repetition between the verses.
The reverse is also a recurrence of final rhymes or inner rhymes within a verse, which does not necessarily have to be true of the refrain.
Furthermore, the sweep is typical for children ‘s rhymes or children’ s and children ‘s sake. Through the periodic element, we very often fall into a sort of singingang when reading / listening.
The sweep of a poem can strongly rhythmize a poem and is very memorable by the constant repetition. This can intensify the statement intensity
It is also important that the sweep is not a clear rhyme scheme because it does not follow a continuous pattern and can be different in every work.