METER AND RHYTHM
The meter of your song defines much of the rhythmic quality it will have. There are other things that will impact this, like orchestration, genre, and performance, but the fundamental choice of meter dictates the rest. This is something music has in common with poetry.
Take for example: one of the most famous poems of all time, by Edgar Alan Poe.
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!”
(This is an example of Trochaic Meter)
Here's another one, read it aloud. Can you hear the meter?
"Sorrow like a ceaseless rain
Beats upon my heart.
People twist and scream in pain, —
Dawn will find them still again;
This has neither wax nor wane,
Neither stop nor start.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Ronald Mcdonald
All words have musical quality to them, even outside of poetry. Here are some examples:
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles
Small World Famous Fries
Egg McMuffin
Mocha Frappé
Fruit'N Yogurt parfait on the side
Your task
In your groups from before, return to your lyrics and attempt to find the metrical quality in what you wrote. You may find yourself adjusting a little, that's okay. I suggest finding a virtual metronome and playing with different tempos. Prepare to the point that you could share at least a small segment of your work with the group.