Methodology for Song Lyric Selection in National Narrative Study

The selection of song lyrics for this study was purposive, based on their appropriateness for comparative analysis of mass and emotional circulation. Song lyrics are considered a vital discursive context for circulating and narrating national identity, political discourse, and collective memory among the public.

Key criteria for selection included demonstrable audience reception (sustained circulation across digital platforms, public performances, and social media), utility in activist contexts (mobilizing texts during political demonstrations, identity movements, and cultural ceremonies), and the popularity of the songs. The relative historical periods of the song lyrics were also considered.

Selected lyrics participated in the construction and contestation of grand national narratives by reconfiguring themes such as resistance, sacrifice, and collective memory within both Afan Oromo and Amharic linguistic cultures. The selection spanned from the early revolutionary era, which emphasized nationalism and patriotism, to the contemporary era, which highlights marginalized voices, identity, and youth-driven politics.

The selection approach is methodologically justified as it prioritizes texts that are not only linguistically rich but also socio-politically consequential. These lyrics facilitate a meaningful analysis of how national issues are narrated, represented, negotiated, constructed, and contested within shared political contexts.