The <lyric> element

Parent element: <note>

The lyric type represents text underlays for lyrics. Two text elements that are not separated by an elision element are part of the same syllable, but may have different text formatting. The MusicXML XSD is more strict than the DTD in enforcing this by disallowing a second syllabic element unless preceded by an elision element. The lyric number indicates multiple lines, though a name can be used as well. Common name examples are verse and chorus.

Justification is center by default; placement is below by default. Vertical alignment is to the baseline of the text and horizontal alignment matches justification. The print-object attribute can override a note’s print-lyric attribute in cases where only some lyrics on a note are printed, as when lyrics for later verses are printed in a block of text rather than with each note. The time-only attribute precisely specifies which lyrics are to be sung which time through a repeated section.