Exam pits pop's lyrical prowess against Raleigh

Cambridge University finalists have been asked to demonstrate their three years of intensive study at a world-class institution in an exam question that compared the poetry of Sir Walter Raleigh with the lyrics of the pop singer Amy Winehouse.
The final-year paper in "practical criticism", sat by English students at the university, asked for a comparison between Raleigh's poetry and a choice of songs by Winehouse, Bob Dylan and Billie Holiday. The university defended the move, saying it proved their academics lived "in the modern world".
The text of the paper, taken last Thursday, read: "The OED [Oxford English Dictionary] defines 'lyric' as 'Of or pertaining to the lyre; adapted to the lyre, meant to be sung'. It also quotes Ruskin's maxim 'lyric poetry is the expression by the poet of his own feelings'. Compare poem (a) on the separate sheet [a lyric by Raleigh, written 1592] with one or two of the song-lyrics (b)-(d), with reference to these diverse senses of 'lyric'."
The three songs were Fine and Mellow by Billie Holiday, Boots of Spanish Leather by Bob Dylan, and Love is a Losing Game by Amy Winehouse.
Winehouse's song, which last week won her a songwriting prize at the Ivor Novello awards, includes the lines: "Love is a losing game/One I wish I never played/Oh, what a mess we made/And now the final frame/Love is a losing game." The Raleigh stanza the students had to look at - As You Came from the Holy Land - reads: "But true love is a durable fire/ In the mind ever burning/ Never sick, never old, never dead/ From itself never turning."
The students could have suggested that the writers shared regular brushes with the law and a fall from grace.
Winehouse, 24, is as well-known for her struggles with drugs as for her music. Her biggest track to date, Rehab, documented her addiction and her loved ones' attempts to get her treated. She has sold millions of albums around the world, and won a Mercury prize, a Grammy, Brit awards, and, twice, the Ivor Novello award. But she has also regularly cancelled gigs, been cautioned for common assault and arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs. Her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, is in jail awaiting trial for assault.
Raleigh (1552-1618), a poet and explorer under Queen Elizabeth I, suppressed Irish rebellions and discovered the "New World". He was held in the Tower of London for marrying a lady-in-waiting without permission and was later sentenced to death, accused of plotting against King James I. He wrote a history of the world as well as some of the best poetry of the Elizabethan age, and was an MP representing three counties.
A spokesman for the university said the question was not "usual", but added that it showed the university was firmly rooted in the 21st century.


Polly Curtis, education editor
The Guardian Wednesday May 28, 2008