Song, n.
Etymology: [AS. song, sang, fr. singan to sing; akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. söngr, Goeth. sagws. See Sing.]
1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc. "That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets." Hawthorne.
2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem. The bard that first adorned our native tongue Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song. Dryden.
4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse. This subject for heroic song. Milton.
3 more senses
5. An object of derision; a laughingstock. And now am I their song. yea, I am their byword. Job xxx. 9.
6. A trifle. "The soldier's pay is a song." Silliman. Old song, a trifle; nothing of value. "I do not intend to be thus put off with an old song." Dr. H. More. -- Song bird (Zoöl.), any singing bird; one of the Oscines. -- Song sparrow (Zoöl.), a very common North American sparrow (Melospiza fasciata, or M. melodia) noted for the sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is covered with dusky brown streaks which form a blotch in the center. -- Song thrush (Zoöl.), a common European thrush (Turdus musicus), noted for its melodius song; -- called also mavis, throsite, and thrasher.
Syn. -- Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn; descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for song; he lists it under poetry.
Where he writes about it:
There is much in literature that is beautiful and sublime in thought and artistic in construction, which is yet not poetry, because quite devoid of the element of song, whereby poetry differs from the most lofty, beautiful, or impassioned prose. — from poetry