Alright, since we seem to be splitting hairs here smile

A lyric is the word half of a song and does not become a lyric until there is a song.

Check any definition of "lyric" and you see lyric and song are inextricably entwined.

Before it becomes part of a song, it is a poem.

You may write a "lyric" intending for it to be attached to a melody, but until it actually is mated with a melody, it is simply a potential lyric.

So I'm with Marc.

I see Noel and Brian's argument in that I have seen (and probably made) comments like "this is a better poem than a lyric", or, "this is too poetic", so I guess the root of the problem is that many of us are simply guilty of "loose language".

While and when folks can agree on what they are talking about, "loose language" does not matter and both can easily work with it. But as this thread illustrates, when we want it to be, the difference in meaning that we previously ignore can become a gulf.

But I don't see it as offensive. Only sloppy.

Now pass me that doohickey please smile

If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop