Thanks to each of you for this thought-provoking and instructional thread. It has got me to going over songs in my head, analyzing with an ear to understanding how and why some are so memorable. Speaking of which, here is a classic example, using signature Allman Brothers tragic comedy, often found in southern rock. I direct our attention to both the phrasing (the timing) and the open ended melodic construction, by which I mean the melody can vary in options (up, down, or stay the same, eighth, quarter, half, or hold) without losing punch.
..............................................................................
My (G) father was a (F) gambler down in (G) Georgia. He (G) wound up
on the (C) wrong end of a (D) gun. I was (C) born in the (G) back seat of a
greyhound bus, (Em) rollin down (G) highway forty (G) one
.............................................................................
Note: I was born in the (Happy Cmajor) -- Back seat (G) Somber G -- of a Greyhound us (Em) punch line of the joke, understated Em -- rolling down (G) here we go, southern rock -- high-way (D) anti climax humor -- forty one (G) the rest is history.
I was born (Yay!)In the back seat (What!??) of a Greyhound Bus (Oh,my goodness)

Link: www.soundcloud.com/ed_shaw (Feel Free to Use)
https://www.Rumble.com/edshaw
Biab for WIN 2020 -- Win 10 64bit -- Reaper/Audacity
Zoom R-16 -- Tascam DP-03-SD -- SoundTap -- Crescendo --