How to Write Bardcore Lyrics

You want your chorus to sound like a tavern sing along and your verses to read like a diary from a moody minstrel. You want modern hooks translated into language that smells of oak and candle wax while still slapping on a playlist. Bardcore is not cosplay. It is a creative dialect that marries the cadences of the past with the emotional clarity of now. This guide gives you the rules you can break, templates you can steal, and exercises that make your first draft sound less like a meme and more like a certified medieval hit.

This is written for millennial and Gen Z creators who want something theatrical, funny, and emotionally honest. Expect practical workflows, lyrical rewrites, medieval word banks, rhythm hacks, and real life examples you can use tonight. We will cover the aesthetic, how to translate modern phrasing into archaic phrasing, rhyme and meter tricks, melody interaction, production considerations, legal basics, and a viral content plan for sharing your bardcore masterpiece.

What Is Bardcore

Bardcore is a genre and internet movement that rearranges modern songs into medieval style. That can mean swapping synths for lute, 808s for hand drums, and auto tuned ooohs for open vowels sung in a smoky chest voice. It also means rewriting lyrics so the words read like a scroll, a ballad, or a courtly complaint without losing the emotional hook that made the original song clickable.

Important term explained

• DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation. That is the software you use to record and arrange music. Examples include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and Reaper. They let you record audio, sequence virtual instruments, and export your track for upload.
• MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. That is a way to tell a virtual instrument what notes to play. MIDI is not sound itself. MIDI is instructions for sound that you edit in your DAW.
• Prosody means how words and music fit together. It is the match between the natural stress of speech and the musical stress of beats and notes. Good prosody makes lyrics feel like conversation inside the song.

Why Bardcore Works

Bardcore taps two big human loves. One is nostalgia for ritual and drama. The other is the satisfaction of hearing a familiar melody in a brand new costume. The twist makes the brain pay attention. The medieval aesthetic adds narrative texture. If the lyrics fit emotionally, the novelty turns into sincere attachment.

Real life scenario

You are in a group chat. Someone posts a viral pop chorus. Ten minutes later you are watching a lute cover with a colonist cap and suddenly you are moved. That emotional swing is Bardcore magic. It gives you two ways to connect. First is the original hook that people already know. Second is the new context that gives fans something to talk about and share.

Core Principles for Writing Bardcore Lyrics

• Keep the emotional promise The original song has an emotional center. Preserve that center. The feel should be recognizable on the first chorus.
• Translate, do not obfuscate You want archaic flavor without losing clarity. Replace modern slang with a medieval equivalent instead of inventing unreadable words.
• Match prosody The old language must still fit the melody. If a medieval word is too long or too short, find an alternate that sings better.
• Use texture words Words like ale, hearth, shroud, and pilgrimage are dramatic signposts. Use them, but use them sparingly.
• Keep hooks short A chorus title that works in modern pop still needs to be repeatable in a courtyard.

How to Start Translating a Modern Song

Pick a song you love. Listen to the chorus until you can hum it in your sleep. Now ask three questions.

1. What is the emotional promise of the chorus in plain language? Write one sentence like you are texting your friend.
2. What objects or images in the original create memory? Are there phones, city lights, cars, DMs or late night texts? Replace each with a medieval object that carries similar weight.
3. Where is the title or hook in the chorus and how many syllables is it? Count syllables so you can match melody and stress later.

Example quick translation

• Original hook: I will not call you tonight
• Plain promise: I will not reach out even though I want to
• Medieval equivalent: I will not summon thy name this night
• Syllable count check: I will not sum mon thy name this night

That translation keeps the emotional core and creates a clear medieval image that fits the melody with one small adjustment count syllables carefully and change where necessary.

Medieval Vocabulary Bank

Below is a list you can steal from. Use words that feel dramatic but still singable. Each word includes a quick modern equivalent and a real life scenario to help you choose the right flavor.

• Ale modern equivalent beer or drink. Use when the song includes partying, awkward hook ups, or numbing sorrow. Scenario you are at an inn drowning regrets.
• Hearth modern equivalent home or safe space. Use when the original says bed, couch, or apartment. Scenario you are returning from a long road and want warmth.
• Thy modern equivalent your. Use in place of your for intimacy with a formal tone. Scenario you whisper the lover name under a blanket of moss.
• O modern equivalent oh. An exclamation used before names or pleas. Scenario you call to a lover across a courtyard.
• Pilgrimage modern equivalent journey. Use when the original mentions road trips or life changes. Scenario you walk to a distant abbey to prove devotion.
• Gild modern equivalent adorn or make pretty. Use instead of decorate or style. Scenario describing make up or new clothes in poetic terms.
• Shroud modern equivalent cover or disappearance. Use for endings or concealment. Scenario a relationship fades and you cover letters with ash.
• Minstrel modern equivalent musician or singer. Use when referencing performance or identity. Scenario you sing in a square for coin and hope one heart listens.
• Quill modern equivalent pen or text. Use when the original references messages, letters, or notes. Scenario you press ink into vellum to confess feelings.
• Beldame modern equivalent old woman, used for texture. Scenario a story told by a neighbor at dusk.

Archaic Grammar That Sings

Do not drown your lines in thou thee wherein and wherefore. Old words are styling tools not a rulebook. Use a few archaic forms to create vibe. Too many and the listener will stop listening. Below are safe swaps and examples that sound good when sung.

• You replace with thou when addressing someone intimately and directly. Example Thou art foolish but I love thee.
• Your replace with thy when the following word starts with a consonant and you want intimacy. Example Thy hand holds mine.
• You are replace with thou art for emphasis in a chorus. Example Thou art the fire that warms me.
• I will replace with I shall if you want a ceremonial feel. Example I shall leave at dawn.

Real life translation example

Modern: You make me feel alive on nights I would be alone.

Bardcore: Thou makst me feel alive on nights when I lie lone by the hearth.

Make sure the contracted old forms fit the melody. If a word like makst feels awkward on the beat pick a different verb or restructure the line.

Rhyme and Meter Tricks for Bardcore

Bardcore benefits from traditional rhyme because ballads historically used clear rhymes for memorability. But you do not have to chain perfect rhymes every line. Use family rhymes and internal rhymes to keep flow modern. Meter matters because medieval language sometimes adds syllables. Count beats and make adjustments.

Rhyme recipes

• Ring chorus Repeat a short title at the start and end of the chorus. That anchors memory. Example O love, O love, I shall not call thy name.
• Triplet list Use three concrete images that escalate. Example goblet, cloak, and candle for increasing intimacy or ruin.
• Internal rhyme Put a rhyming pair inside a line to tighten rhythmic feel. Example The moon hums soon as I come to thee.

Meter checking method

1. Tap the beat of the original chorus with your foot. Count four beats per bar if the original is pop. Most modern songs sit in common time.
2. Speak your rewritten line naturally. Mark the stressed syllables with bold in a draft document. Those stressed syllables need to land on musical strong beats.
3. If the archaic word adds a syllable and breaks the stress pattern replace with a simpler word or move the phrase earlier or later in the bar.

Example meter fix

Bad: Thy treasure is mine to hold within mine hand and heart

Why bad The extra mine breaks the rhythm

Good: Thy treasure lies within my hand and heart

Why good Keeps stress and keeps musical flow

Melody and Prosody for Bardcore Lines

Lyrics do not live alone. They must fit a melody written for different vowel shapes and consonant stresses. Medieval words can be vowel heavy or consonant heavy. Vowel heavy words are easier to sustain on long notes. Consonant clusters can be great for rhythmic lines.

Vowel pass

Sing the melody on pure vowels first. Use ah oh oo sounds. Record and mark where you want to place the title. Then try your archaic words in those slots. If a word has many consonant clashes and ruins the sustained vowel switch to a synonym.

Consonant percussion

Use consonant heavy words on rhythmic lines so the consonants become percussive ornaments. Example the line The black bell claps at dawn uses the b and k sounds as rhythm. That can match a tambourine or a hand clap pattern.

Examples: Modern Chorus Rewrites

We will walk three examples from modern pop to Bardcore. You can copy the method and replace words for your own songs. The goal is to preserve emotional logic and melody while giving lyric language medieval flavor.

Example 1: A Simple Break Up Chorus

Original Chorus

I will not call you tonight I will not text or say your name

Bardcore Chorus Draft

O I shall not summon thee this night I shall not script thy name upon my page

Why this works

• Summon and script feel ritualistic without being silly
• Page replaces phone or text with object that reads as message
• The repetition I shall emphasises resolve much like the original

Example 2: Party Anthem Rewrite

Original Hook

We do it all night We do it all night

Bardcore Hook

We revel the eve long We revel the eve long

Why this works

• Revel is a direct medieval verb for partying and carries the same energy
• Eve long stands in for all night and fits the meter

Example 3: Intimate Confession Rewrite

Original Chorus

You got me like a melody stuck in my head

Bardcore Chorus

Thou art a melody lodged within my mind and marrow

Why this works

• Thou art opens with intimacy
• Lodged conveys persistence and feels poetic
• Mind and marrow doubles the emotional reach like a medieval oath

Lyric Templates You Can Use Right Now

Copy these templates into your document. Plug in your images and swap words from the vocabulary bank. Keep the syllable counts in mind and do a vowel pass.

Template 1: Break Up Ballad

Verse Thy cloak lies over the stair I pass like a shade

Pre O heart that once thumped in time now breaks the blade

Chorus O I shall not call thy name this night I shall keep silence by the fire

Template 2: Roguish Love Song

Verse The moon steals coin from the purse of my pocket yet I give

Pre The minstrel hums our secret line and the stars forgive

Chorus Come to my hearth O come to my hearth and rest thy weary head

Template 3: Empowerment Chant

Verse I trade the pennant and the chains for soles on the road

Pre I will not bow to your counsel nor carry your load

Chorus I shall rise as dawn I shall rise as storm and walk alone

Melodic Ornamentation and Vocal Performance

Bardcore vocals often include ornamentation that feels stagey but not overdone. Use grace notes, small runs, and throat catches like a real minstrel would. If you are not trained a few tasteful moves work better than endless riffs.

• Grace notes short quick notes before a main note. Use on words like O to add drama.
• Portamento sliding between notes. Good on lines that end on longing words like thee or stay.
• Melisma singing multiple notes on a single syllable. Use sparingly on emotional peaks.

Recording tip Use a warm mic and add a little room reverb to get the tavern vibe. For authenticity add subtle breath sounds and mouth clicks that feel live and raw. Too much polish kills the rustic charm.

Instrumentation and Production Tips

Turning a modern banger into a medieval piece does not mean you must be historically accurate. The goal is texture and mood. Choose a small palette and commit to it.

• Core instruments lute or acoustic guitar with nylon strings, hand drum like a bodhran or frame drum, harp or wire strung instrument, recorder, viola or rebec for drones and countermelody.
• Ambient elements flicker of candle, crowd murmur or tavern chatter, the clink of cup on wood. Use these as transitions not constant noise.
• Modern touches a low synth drone or modern bass can anchor low end without breaking vibe. Keep it subtle.

Arrangement idea

1. Intro begin with a single instrument motif on lute
2. Verse add a soft drum and a low drone for warmth
3. Pre chorus add a small recorder or voice harmony to build tension
4. Chorus open with full rhythm and layered voices for crowd feel
5. Bridge strip back to solo voice and quill scratch then rebuild

Legal Considerations and Credits

Covering modern songs as Bardcore is fine in many cases but you must follow copyright rules. If you record a cover of a copyrighted song you need to secure the proper licenses to distribute and monetize it on streaming services. On platforms like YouTube and TikTok covers can be monetized depending on the publisher rules. If you substantially rewrite lyrics you could be entering derivative work territory which needs permission from the original songwriter or publisher. Here are the safe paths.

• Straight cover keep the melody and translate the lyrics into medieval language but keep core lyric phrases minimal. For streaming get a mechanical license where required. Services such as DistroKid and CD Baby help with licensing for streaming.
• Parody If your rewrite is clearly satire there is limited protection in some countries under parody law but it is risky and inconsistent worldwide. Seek legal advice if you plan to monetize heavily.
• Original inspired work Use the Bardcore aesthetic on original melodies and lyrics. This avoids permissions and can help build identity faster.

Term explained

• Mechanical license This is permission to reproduce a song in a recorded format. It covers recordings for distribution and streaming.
• Derivative work A new work that is based on an existing copyrighted work. Translating lyrics counts as derivative work and likely requires publisher permission.

How to Make a Viral Bardcore Clip

Short video content is your friend. Fans love seeing 15 to 60 second transformations where a modern chorus becomes a medieval chorus. Here is a playbook you can follow that is optimized for engagement.

1. Pick a hook under 20 seconds that is instantly recognizable
2. Create a visual motif like a candle lit close up or a quill writing a heart
3. Show the before and after quickly with captions quoting the modern lyric and then the Bardcore lyric
4. Use a tight audio mix where the voice and one instrument are center and loud
5. End with a call to action ask the viewer to duet or stitch with their own verse

Real life scenario You upload a 30 second duet clip with a caption Write the second verse. A streamer with 500k followers stitches and suddenly you are trending. That is the magic of social remix culture meeting Bardcore aesthetics.

Exercises to Master Bardcore Lyrics

The Object Swap Drill

Pick five objects from a modern song. For each object find a medieval equivalent. Write one line for each swap. Time limit ten minutes. This trains associative translation.

The Vowel Pass

Sing the melody on pure vowels for two minutes. Mark the most singable spots. Try archaic words in those slots only. Replace words until the vowel space sings.

The Tavern Rewrite

Take a modern chorus and rewrite it as a public announcement in a tavern. Use audience call back phrases like O or hark. Keep it under thirty seconds. This helps you craft lines that read well when performed live.

The Quill Confession

Write a 12 line letter from a protagonist to a lost lover using only objects and small actions. No direct emotion words like sad or happy. Time limit fifteen minutes. Then sing it to a slow lute loop and find your chorus.

Common Mistakes and Easy Fixes

• Too much archaic language Replace extra words with modern equivalents that sing. Keep the vibe not the dictionary.
• Lost emotional core If the new words feel clever but empty return to your one sentence emotional promise and rewrite from there.
• Meter mismatch If the line feels off when sung break the line into two smaller phrases or swap in a one syllable synonym.
• Over production If the track feels too glossy remove layers until the voice and one instrument remain. The rawness sells vibe.

Performing Bardcore Live

A live Bardcore performance thrives on atmosphere. Use simple production and props. You do not need a full medieval stage to sell it. You need conviction.

• Wear one signature prop like a cloak or a brooch but do not over costume. The music must carry the audience.
• Use call and response to get the crowd involved. Teach the ring phrase and let them yell it back.
• Keep a small selection of song variations ready in case a crowd sings a line differently. Flexibility feels authentic.

Action Plan You Can Use Tonight

1. Pick a modern chorus you can sing without the words.
2. Write one sentence that sums up the chorus emotion in plain speech.
3. Translate three key images or objects into medieval equivalents using the vocabulary bank.
4. Perform a vowel pass on the chorus melody and place the medieval title on the most singable vowel moment.
5. Record a quick demo with a lute loop and a single vocal take. Add a small tavern sound effect tastefully.
6. Post a 30 second clip with a caption that invites a duet or rewrite challenge.

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

• Bardcore a genre that restyles modern music in medieval or renaissance aesthetic.
• DAW Digital Audio Workstation software used to record and produce music.
• MIDI a protocol that sends musical information to virtual instruments.
• Prosody the alignment of word stress with musical beats and notes.
• Mechanical license permission to reproduce songs in recorded formats for distribution.
• Derivative work a new work based on an existing copyrighted work which may require permission.

FAQ

Can I write Bardcore lyrics for any song

Yes you can write an archaic version of any song for personal practice and sharing on platforms that allow covers. For distribution and monetization be mindful of copyright. Translating lyrics creates a derivative work which often requires publisher permission. If you want to build a career making Bardcore covers get comfortable with licensing or write original songs using Bardcore style to avoid permissions.

How do I keep the chorus catchy when I add archaic language

Keep the emotional promise and repeat a short title phrase. Use simple vowels for the hook so it is easy to sing and memorize. Test the lyric by singing it once in the shower and once in a noisy room. If it survives both it is likely catchy enough.

Should I try to be historically accurate with instruments and language

Historical accuracy is fun but optional. Authentic instruments and plausible words add charm. Yet the core requirement is that the song must move people. Prioritize musicality first then layer in historical texture. Fans love a mix of authenticity and modern sensibility.

What if archaic words do not fit the melody

Swap words for synonyms that match stress and vowel length. Shorten or lengthen phrases by moving parts of a line early or late in the bar. Use contractions that sing well. The goal is to keep prosody tight. If you cannot match a single word then rephrase the thought to keep the energy.

How do I monetize Bardcore covers

To monetize covers on streaming services you usually need a mechanical license. For derivative lyric rewrites you likely need permission from the original publisher. On ad supported platforms the policies vary. If your plan involves significant revenue speak with a music attorney or use a distributor that handles licensing. Alternatively writing original Bardcore songs avoids publisher permission and can be a faster route to monetization.

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