]> git.donarmstrong.com Git - lilypond.git/blobdiff - lily/parser.yy
Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/master' into translation
[lilypond.git] / lily / parser.yy
index 49acd012d51ca0820db2b8cdf3a613aedbdcf901..0804ce575b59f240ff3b43fcd1487ad7c9511fe0 100644 (file)
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* -*- mode: c++; c-file-style: "linux" -*- */
+/* -*- mode: c++; c-file-style: "linux"; indent-tabs-mode: t -*- */
 /*
   This file is part of LilyPond, the GNU music typesetter.
 
 
 %{
 
-#define YYDEBUG 1
-#define YYERROR_VERBOSE 1
-
 #define yyerror Lily_parser::parser_error
 
 /* We use custom location type: Input objects */
 #define YYLTYPE Input
+#define YYSTYPE SCM
 #define YYLLOC_DEFAULT(Current,Rhs,N) \
        ((Current).set_location ((Rhs)[1], (Rhs)[N]))
 
+#define YYPRINT(file, type, value)                                      \
+        do {                                                            \
+                if (scm_is_eq (value, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))                 \
+                        break;                                          \
+                char *p = scm_to_locale_string                          \
+                        (scm_simple_format (SCM_BOOL_F,                 \
+                                            scm_from_locale_string ("~S"), \
+                                            scm_list_1 (value)));       \
+                fputs (p, file);                                        \
+                free (p);                                               \
+        } while (0)
 
 %}
 
 %parse-param {Lily_parser *parser}
+%parse-param {SCM *retval}
 %lex-param {Lily_parser *parser}
+%error-verbose
+%debug
 
 /* We use SCMs to do strings, because it saves us the trouble of
 deleting them.  Let's hope that a stack overflow doesn't trigger a move
@@ -145,7 +157,7 @@ using namespace std;
 #include "warn.hh"
 
 void
-Lily_parser::parser_error (Input const *i, Lily_parser *parser, string s)
+Lily_parser::parser_error (Input const *i, Lily_parser *parser, SCM *, string s)
 {
        parser->parser_error (*i, s);
 }
@@ -180,15 +192,6 @@ while (0)
 %}
 
 
-%union {
-       Book *book;
-       Output_def *outputdef;
-       SCM scm;
-       std::string *string;
-       Score *score;
-       int i;
-}
-
 %{
 
 #define MY_MAKE_MUSIC(x, spot)  make_music_with_input (ly_symbol2scm (x), spot)
@@ -221,15 +224,16 @@ SCM get_next_unique_lyrics_context_id ();
 
 static Music *make_music_with_input (SCM name, Input where);
 SCM check_scheme_arg (Lily_parser *parser, Input loc,
-                     SCM arg, SCM args, SCM pred);
+                     SCM arg, SCM args, SCM pred, SCM disp = SCM_UNDEFINED);
+SCM make_music_from_simple (Lily_parser *parser, Input loc, SCM pitch);
 SCM loc_on_music (Input loc, SCM arg);
 SCM make_chord_elements (Input loc, SCM pitch, SCM dur, SCM modification_list);
-SCM make_chord_step (int step, Rational alter);
+SCM make_chord_step (SCM step, Rational alter);
 SCM make_simple_markup (SCM a);
 bool is_duration (int t);
-bool is_regular_identifier (SCM id);
+bool is_regular_identifier (SCM id, bool multiple=false);
+SCM try_string_variants (SCM pred, SCM str);
 int yylex (YYSTYPE *s, YYLTYPE *loc, Lily_parser *parser);
-void set_music_properties (Music *p, SCM a);
 
 %}
 
@@ -241,6 +245,7 @@ void set_music_properties (Music *p, SCM a);
 */
 
 /* Keyword tokens with plain escaped name.  */
+%token END_OF_FILE 0 "end of input"
 %token ACCEPTS "\\accepts"
 %token ADDLYRICS "\\addlyrics"
 %token ALIAS "\\alias"
@@ -327,228 +332,56 @@ If we give names, Bison complains.
 %token MULTI_MEASURE_REST
 
 
-%token <i> E_UNSIGNED
-%token <scm> UNSIGNED
+%token E_UNSIGNED
+%token UNSIGNED
 
 /* Artificial tokens, for more generic function syntax */
-%token <i> EXPECT_MARKUP "markup?"
-%token <i> EXPECT_PITCH "ly:pitch?"
-%token <i> EXPECT_DURATION "ly:duration?"
-%token <scm> EXPECT_SCM "scheme?"
-%token <scm> BACKUP "(backed-up?)"
-%token <scm> REPARSE "(reparsed?)"
-%token <i> EXPECT_MARKUP_LIST "markup-list?"
-%token <scm> EXPECT_OPTIONAL "optional?"
+%token EXPECT_MARKUP "markup?"
+%token EXPECT_PITCH "ly:pitch?"
+%token EXPECT_DURATION "ly:duration?"
+%token EXPECT_SCM "scheme?"
+%token BACKUP "(backed-up?)"
+%token REPARSE "(reparsed?)"
+%token EXPECT_MARKUP_LIST "markup-list?"
+%token EXPECT_OPTIONAL "optional?"
 /* After the last argument. */
-%token <i> EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS;
+%token EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS;
 
 /* An artificial token for parsing embedded Lilypond */
-%token <i> EMBEDDED_LILY "#{"
-
-%token <scm> BOOK_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> CHORDMODIFIER_PITCH
-%token <scm> CHORD_MODIFIER
-%token <scm> CHORD_REPETITION
-%token <scm> CONTEXT_DEF_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> CONTEXT_MOD_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> DRUM_PITCH
-%token <scm> PITCH_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> DURATION_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> EVENT_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> EVENT_FUNCTION
-%token <scm> FRACTION
-%token <scm> LYRICS_STRING
-%token <scm> LYRIC_ELEMENT
-%token <scm> LYRIC_MARKUP_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> MARKUP_FUNCTION
-%token <scm> MARKUP_LIST_FUNCTION
-%token <scm> MARKUP_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> MUSIC_FUNCTION
-%token <scm> MUSIC_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> NOTENAME_PITCH
-%token <scm> NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> OUTPUT_DEF_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> REAL
-%token <scm> RESTNAME
-%token <scm> SCM_FUNCTION
-%token <scm> SCM_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> SCM_TOKEN
-%token <scm> SCORE_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> STRING
-%token <scm> STRING_IDENTIFIER
-%token <scm> TONICNAME_PITCH
-
-
-%type <book> book_block
-%type <book> book_body
-%type <book> bookpart_block
-%type <book> bookpart_body
-
-%type <i> bare_unsigned
-%type <scm> figured_bass_alteration
-%type <i> dots
-%type <i> exclamations
-%type <i> optional_rest
-%type <i> questions
-%type <i> script_dir
-%type <i> sub_quotes
-%type <i> sup_quotes
-%type <i> tremolo_type
-
-/* Music */
-%type <scm> composite_music
-%type <scm> grouped_music_list
-%type <scm> braced_music_list
-%type <scm> closed_music
-%type <scm> music
-%type <scm> music_bare
-%type <scm> music_arg
-%type <scm> music_assign
-%type <scm> complex_music
-%type <scm> complex_music_prefix
-%type <scm> mode_changed_music
-%type <scm> repeated_music
-%type <scm> sequential_music
-%type <scm> simple_music
-%type <scm> simultaneous_music
-%type <scm> chord_body
-%type <scm> chord_body_element
-%type <scm> command_element
-%type <scm> command_event
-%type <scm> context_modification
-%type <scm> context_change
-%type <scm> direction_less_event
-%type <scm> direction_reqd_event
-%type <scm> embedded_lilypond
-%type <scm> event_chord
-%type <scm> fingering
-%type <scm> gen_text_def
-%type <scm> music_property_def
-%type <scm> note_chord_element
-%type <scm> post_event
-%type <scm> post_event_nofinger
-%type <scm> re_rhythmed_music
-%type <scm> simple_element
-%type <scm> simple_music_property_def
-%type <scm> start_symbol
-%type <scm> string_number_event
-%type <scm> tempo_event
-
-%type <outputdef> output_def_body
-%type <outputdef> output_def_head
-%type <outputdef> output_def_head_with_mode_switch
-%type <outputdef> output_def
-%type <outputdef> paper_block
-
-%type <scm> music_function_call
-%type <scm> music_list
-%type <scm> assignment_id
-%type <scm> bare_number
-%type <scm> bare_number_closed
-%type <scm> unsigned_number
-%type <scm> bass_figure
-%type <scm> figured_bass_modification
-%type <scm> br_bass_figure
-%type <scm> bass_number
-%type <scm> chord_body_elements
-%type <scm> chord_item
-%type <scm> chord_items
-%type <scm> chord_separator
-%type <scm> context_def_mod
-%type <scm> context_def_spec_block
-%type <scm> context_def_spec_body
-%type <scm> context_mod
-%type <scm> context_mod_arg
-%type <scm> context_mod_embedded
-%type <scm> context_mod_list
-%type <scm> context_prop_spec
-%type <scm> direction_less_char
-%type <scm> duration_length
-%type <scm> embedded_scm
-%type <scm> embedded_scm_arg
-%type <scm> embedded_scm_arg_closed
-%type <scm> embedded_scm_bare
-%type <scm> embedded_scm_bare_arg
-%type <scm> embedded_scm_closed
-%type <scm> event_function_event
-%type <scm> figure_list
-%type <scm> figure_spec
-%type <scm> fraction
-%type <scm> full_markup
-%type <scm> full_markup_list
-%type <scm> function_arglist
-%type <scm> function_arglist_optional
-%type <scm> function_arglist_backup
-%type <scm> function_arglist_nonbackup
-%type <scm> function_arglist_skip
-%type <scm> function_arglist_bare
-%type <scm> function_arglist_closed
-%type <scm> function_arglist_closed_optional
-%type <scm> function_arglist_common
-%type <scm> function_arglist_common_lyric
-%type <scm> function_arglist_common_minus
-%type <scm> function_arglist_closed_common
-%type <scm> function_arglist_keep
-%type <scm> function_arglist_closed_keep
-%type <scm> identifier_init
-%type <scm> lilypond
-%type <scm> lilypond_header
-%type <scm> lilypond_header_body
-%type <scm> lyric_element
-%type <scm> lyric_element_arg
-%type <scm> lyric_element_music
-%type <scm> lyric_markup
-%type <scm> markup
-%type <scm> markup_braced_list
-%type <scm> markup_braced_list_body
-%type <scm> markup_composed_list
-%type <scm> markup_command_list
-%type <scm> markup_command_list_arguments
-%type <scm> markup_command_basic_arguments
-%type <scm> markup_head_1_item
-%type <scm> markup_head_1_list
-%type <scm> markup_list
-%type <scm> markup_top
-%type <scm> maybe_notemode_duration
-%type <scm> mode_changing_head
-%type <scm> mode_changing_head_with_context
-%type <scm> multiplied_duration
-%type <scm> music_function_event
-%type <scm> music_function_chord_body
-%type <scm> new_chord
-%type <scm> new_lyrics
-%type <scm> number_expression
-%type <scm> number_factor
-%type <scm> number_term
-%type <scm> octave_check
-%type <scm> optional_context_mod
-%type <scm> optional_id
-%type <scm> optional_notemode_duration
-%type <scm> pitch
-%type <scm> pitch_also_in_chords
-%type <scm> post_events
-%type <scm> property_operation
-%type <scm> property_path property_path_revved
-%type <scm> scalar
-%type <scm> scalar_closed
-%type <scm> scm_function_call
-%type <scm> scm_function_call_closed
-%type <scm> script_abbreviation
-%type <scm> simple_chord_elements
-%type <scm> simple_markup
-%type <scm> simple_string
-%type <scm> steno_duration
-%type <scm> steno_pitch
-%type <scm> steno_tonic_pitch
-%type <scm> step_number
-%type <scm> step_numbers
-%type <scm> string
-%type <scm> tempo_range
-
-%type <score> score_block
-%type <score> score_body
-
+%token EMBEDDED_LILY "#{"
+
+%token BOOK_IDENTIFIER
+%token CHORDMODIFIER_PITCH
+%token CHORD_MODIFIER
+%token CHORD_REPETITION
+%token CONTEXT_DEF_IDENTIFIER
+%token CONTEXT_MOD_IDENTIFIER
+%token DRUM_PITCH
+%token PITCH_IDENTIFIER
+%token DURATION_IDENTIFIER
+%token EVENT_IDENTIFIER
+%token EVENT_FUNCTION
+%token FRACTION
+%token LYRICS_STRING
+%token LYRIC_ELEMENT
+%token MARKUP_FUNCTION
+%token MARKUP_LIST_FUNCTION
+%token MARKUP_IDENTIFIER
+%token MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER
+%token MUSIC_FUNCTION
+%token MUSIC_IDENTIFIER
+%token NOTENAME_PITCH
+%token NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+%token OUTPUT_DEF_IDENTIFIER
+%token REAL
+%token RESTNAME
+%token SCM_ARG
+%token SCM_FUNCTION
+%token SCM_IDENTIFIER
+%token SCM_TOKEN
+%token STRING
+%token SYMBOL_LIST
+%token TONICNAME_PITCH
 
 %left '-' '+'
 
@@ -563,14 +396,14 @@ start_symbol:
        lilypond
        | EMBEDDED_LILY {
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
        } embedded_lilypond {
                parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("parseStringResult"), $3);
+                *retval = $3;
        }
        ;
 
-lilypond:      /* empty */ { }
+lilypond:      /* empty */ { $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED; }
        | lilypond toplevel_expression {
        }
        | lilypond assignment {
@@ -585,32 +418,26 @@ lilypond: /* empty */ { }
 
 
 toplevel_expression:
-       lilypond_header {
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$defaultheader"), $1);
+       {
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (get_header (parser));
+       } lilypond_header {
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$defaultheader"), $2);
        }
        | book_block {
-               Book *book = $1;
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-book-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), book->self_scm ());
-               book->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1);
        }
        | bookpart_block {
-               Book *bookpart = $1;
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-bookpart-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), bookpart->self_scm ());
-               bookpart->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1);
        }
        | score_block {
-               Score *score = $1;
-
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-score-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), score->self_scm ());
-               score->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1);
        }
        | composite_music {
-               Music *music = unsmob_music ($1);
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-music-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), music->self_scm ());
+               scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1);
        }
        | full_markup {
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-text-handler");
@@ -620,58 +447,66 @@ toplevel_expression:
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-text-handler");
                scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1);
        }
+       | SCM_TOKEN {
+               // Evaluate and ignore #xxx, as opposed to \xxx
+               parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($1);
+       }
+       | embedded_scm_active
+       {
+               SCM out = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               if (Text_interface::is_markup ($1))
+                       out = scm_list_1 ($1);
+               else if (Text_interface::is_markup_list ($1))
+                       out = $1;
+               if (scm_is_pair (out))
+               {
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("toplevel-text-handler");
+                       scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), out);
+               } else if (!scm_is_eq ($1, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("bad expression type"));
+       }
        | output_def {
                SCM id = SCM_EOL;
-               Output_def * od = $1;
+               Output_def * od = unsmob_output_def ($1);
 
-               if ($1->c_variable ("is-paper") == SCM_BOOL_T)
+               if (od->c_variable ("is-paper") == SCM_BOOL_T)
                        id = ly_symbol2scm ("$defaultpaper");
-               else if ($1->c_variable ("is-midi") == SCM_BOOL_T)
+               else if (od->c_variable ("is-midi") == SCM_BOOL_T)
                        id = ly_symbol2scm ("$defaultmidi");
-               else if ($1->c_variable ("is-layout") == SCM_BOOL_T)
+               else if (od->c_variable ("is-layout") == SCM_BOOL_T)
                        id = ly_symbol2scm ("$defaultlayout");
 
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (id, od->self_scm ());
-               od->unprotect();
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (id, $1);
        }
        ;
 
 embedded_scm_bare:
        SCM_TOKEN
        {
-               $$ = parser->lexer_->eval_scm ($1);
+               $$ = parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($1);
        }
        | SCM_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
+embedded_scm_active:
+       SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       | scm_function_call
+       ;
+
 embedded_scm_bare_arg:
-       embedded_scm_bare
-       | STRING
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER
+       SCM_ARG
+       | SCM_TOKEN
+       {
+               $$ = parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($1);
+       }
        | full_markup
        | full_markup_list
        | context_modification
        | score_block
-       {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
        | context_def_spec_block
        | book_block
-       {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
        | bookpart_block
-       {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
        | output_def
-       {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
        ;
 
 /* The generic version may end in music, or not */
@@ -700,26 +535,32 @@ embedded_lilypond:
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("void-music", @$);
        }
        | identifier_init
-       | music music music_list {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("sequential-music", @$,       
-                                 scm_cons2 ($1, $2, scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL)));
+       | music_embedded music_embedded music_list {
+               $3 = scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL);
+               if (unsmob_music ($2))
+                       $3 = scm_cons ($2, $3);
+               if (unsmob_music ($1))
+                       $3 = scm_cons ($1, $3);
+               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("sequential-music", @$, $3);
        }
        | error {
                parser->error_level_ = 1;
+                $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
        }
        | INVALID embedded_lilypond {
                parser->error_level_ = 1;
+                $$ = $2;
        }
        ;
 
 
 lilypond_header_body:
-       {
-               $$ = get_header (parser);
-               parser->lexer_->add_scope ($$);
-       }
+       /* empty */ { $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED; }
        | lilypond_header_body assignment  {
 
+       }
+       | lilypond_header_body embedded_scm  {
+
        }
        ;
 
@@ -740,70 +581,30 @@ assignment_id:
 assignment:
        assignment_id '=' identifier_init  {
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier ($1, $3);
+                $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
        }
        | assignment_id property_path '=' identifier_init {
                SCM path = scm_cons (scm_string_to_symbol ($1), $2);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (path, $4);
-       ;
-/*
- TODO: devise standard for protection in parser.
-
-  The parser stack lives on the C-stack, which means that
-all objects can be unprotected as soon as they're here.
-
-*/
+                $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
        }
-       | embedded_scm { }
        ;
 
 
 identifier_init:
-       score_block {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | book_block {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | bookpart_block {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | output_def {
-               $$ = $1->self_scm ();
-               $1->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | context_def_spec_block {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | music_assign  {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | post_event_nofinger {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | number_expression {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | FRACTION {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | string {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-        | embedded_scm {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | full_markup {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | full_markup_list {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-        | context_modification {
-                $$ = $1;
-        }
+       score_block
+       | book_block
+       | bookpart_block
+       | output_def
+       | context_def_spec_block
+       | music_assign
+       | post_event_nofinger
+       | number_expression
+       | FRACTION
+       | string
+        | embedded_scm
+       | full_markup_list
+        | context_modification
        ;
 
 context_def_spec_block:
@@ -844,7 +645,8 @@ context_def_spec_body:
                unsmob_context_def ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
        }
        | context_def_spec_body context_mod {
-               unsmob_context_def ($$)->add_context_mod ($2);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       unsmob_context_def ($$)->add_context_mod ($2);
        }
        | context_def_spec_body context_modification {
                 Context_def *td = unsmob_context_def ($$);
@@ -877,59 +679,71 @@ book_block:
    * grok \layout and \midi?  */
 book_body:
        {
-               $$ = new Book;
+               Book *book = new Book;
                init_papers (parser);
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
-               $$->paper_ = dynamic_cast<Output_def*> (unsmob_output_def (parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("$defaultpaper"))->clone ());
-               $$->paper_->unprotect ();
-               push_paper (parser, $$->paper_);
-               $$->header_ = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("$defaultheader");
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), $$->self_scm ());
+               book->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               book->paper_ = dynamic_cast<Output_def*> (unsmob_output_def (parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("$defaultpaper"))->clone ());
+               book->paper_->unprotect ();
+               push_paper (parser, book->paper_);
+               book->header_ = get_header (parser);
+                $$ = book->unprotect ();
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), $$);
        }
        | BOOK_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = unsmob_book ($1);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               unsmob_book ($1)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), $1);
        }
        | book_body paper_block {
-               $$->paper_ = $2;
-               $2->unprotect ();
-               set_paper (parser, $2);
+               unsmob_book ($1)->paper_ = unsmob_output_def ($2);
+               set_paper (parser, unsmob_output_def ($2));
        }
        | book_body bookpart_block {
-               Book *bookpart = $2;
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-bookpart-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), bookpart->self_scm ());
-               bookpart->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
        }
        | book_body score_block {
-               Score *score = $2;
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-score-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), score->self_scm ());
-               score->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
        }
        | book_body composite_music {
-               Music *music = unsmob_music ($2);
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-music-handler");
-               scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $$->self_scm (), music->self_scm ());
+               scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1, $2);
        }
        | book_body full_markup {
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-text-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), scm_list_1 ($2));
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, scm_list_1 ($2));
        }
        | book_body full_markup_list {
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-text-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), $2);
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
        }
-       | book_body lilypond_header {
-               $$->header_ = $2;
+       | book_body SCM_TOKEN {
+               // Evaluate and ignore #xxx, as opposed to \xxx
+               parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($2);
        }
-       | book_body embedded_scm { }
+       | book_body embedded_scm_active
+       {
+               SCM out = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               if (Text_interface::is_markup ($2))
+                       out = scm_list_1 ($2);
+               else if (Text_interface::is_markup_list ($2))
+                       out = $2;
+               if (scm_is_pair (out))
+               {
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-text-handler");
+                       scm_call_2 (proc, $1, out);
+               } else if (!scm_is_eq ($2, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _("bad expression type"));
+       }
+       | book_body
+       {
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (unsmob_book ($1)->header_);
+       } lilypond_header
        | book_body error {
-               $$->paper_ = 0;
-               $$->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
-               $$->bookparts_ = SCM_EOL;
+                Book *book = unsmob_book ($1);
+               book->paper_ = 0;
+               book->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
+               book->bookparts_ = SCM_EOL;
        }
        ;
 
@@ -942,46 +756,63 @@ bookpart_block:
 
 bookpart_body:
        {
-               $$ = new Book;
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), $$->self_scm ());
+               Book *book = new Book;
+               book->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+                $$ = book->unprotect ();
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), $$);
        }
        | BOOK_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = unsmob_book ($1);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               unsmob_book ($1)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), $1);
        }
        | bookpart_body paper_block {
-               $$->paper_ = $2;
-               $2->unprotect ();
+               unsmob_book ($$)->paper_ = unsmob_output_def ($2);
        }
        | bookpart_body score_block {
-               Score *score = $2;
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("bookpart-score-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), score->self_scm ());
-               score->unprotect ();
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
        }
        | bookpart_body composite_music {
-               Music *music = unsmob_music ($2);
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("bookpart-music-handler");
-               scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $$->self_scm (), music->self_scm ());
+               scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1, $2);
        }
        | bookpart_body full_markup {
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("bookpart-text-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), scm_list_1 ($2));
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, scm_list_1 ($2));
        }
        | bookpart_body full_markup_list {
                SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("bookpart-text-handler");
-               scm_call_2 (proc, $$->self_scm (), $2);
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
        }
-       | bookpart_body lilypond_header {
-               $$->header_ = $2;
+       | bookpart_body SCM_TOKEN {
+               // Evaluate and ignore #xxx, as opposed to \xxx
+               parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($2);
        }
-       | bookpart_body embedded_scm { }
+       | bookpart_body embedded_scm_active
+       {
+               SCM out = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               if (Text_interface::is_markup ($2))
+                       out = scm_list_1 ($2);
+               else if (Text_interface::is_markup_list ($2))
+                       out = $2;
+               if (scm_is_pair (out))
+               {
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("bookpart-text-handler");
+                       scm_call_2 (proc, $1, out);
+               } else if (!scm_is_eq ($2, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _("bad expression type"));
+       }
+       | bookpart_body
+       {
+                Book *book = unsmob_book ($1);
+               if (!ly_is_module (book->header_))
+                       book->header_ = ly_make_module (false);
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (book->header_);
+       } lilypond_header
        | bookpart_body error {
-               $$->paper_ = 0;
-               $$->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
+                Book *book = unsmob_book ($1);
+               book->paper_ = 0;
+               book->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
        }
        ;
 
@@ -993,37 +824,43 @@ score_block:
 
 score_body:
        music {
-               SCM m = $1;
                SCM scorify = ly_lily_module_constant ("scorify-music");
-               SCM score = scm_call_2 (scorify, m, parser->self_scm ());
+               $$ = scm_call_2 (scorify, $1, parser->self_scm ());
 
-               // pass ownernship to C++ again.
-               $$ = unsmob_score (score);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
-       }
-       | SCORE_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = unsmob_score ($1);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               unsmob_score ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
        }
-       | score_body lilypond_header    {
-               $$->set_header ($2);
+       | embedded_scm_active {
+               Score *score;
+               if (unsmob_score ($1))
+                       score = new Score (*unsmob_score ($1));
+               else {
+                       score = new Score;
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("score expected"));
+               }
+               unsmob_score ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               $$ = score->unprotect ();
        }
+       | score_body
+       {
+                Score *score = unsmob_score ($1);
+               if (!ly_is_module (score->get_header ()))
+                       score->set_header (ly_make_module (false));
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (score->get_header ());
+       } lilypond_header
        | score_body output_def {
-               if ($2->lookup_variable (ly_symbol2scm ("is-paper")) == SCM_BOOL_T)
+                Output_def *od = unsmob_output_def ($2);
+               if (od->lookup_variable (ly_symbol2scm ("is-paper")) == SCM_BOOL_T)
                {
                        parser->parser_error (@2, _("\\paper cannot be used in \\score, use \\layout instead"));
 
                }
                else
                {
-                       $$->add_output_def ($2);
+                       unsmob_score ($1)->add_output_def (od);
                }
-               $2->unprotect ();
        }
        | score_body error {
-               $$->error_found_ = true;
+               unsmob_score ($$)->error_found_ = true;
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1034,12 +871,12 @@ score_body:
 
 paper_block:
        output_def {
-               $$ = $1;
-               if ($$->lookup_variable (ly_symbol2scm ("is-paper")) != SCM_BOOL_T)
+                Output_def *od = unsmob_output_def ($1);
+
+               if (od->lookup_variable (ly_symbol2scm ("is-paper")) != SCM_BOOL_T)
                {
                        parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("need \\paper for paper block"));
-                       $1->unprotect ();
-                       $$ = get_paper (parser);
+                       $$ = get_paper (parser)->unprotect ();
                }
        }
        ;
@@ -1056,20 +893,21 @@ output_def:
 
 output_def_head:
        PAPER {
-               $$ = get_paper (parser);
-               $$->input_origin_ = @$;
-               parser->lexer_->add_scope ($$->scope_);
+                Output_def *p = get_paper (parser);
+               p->input_origin_ = @$;
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (p->scope_);
+                $$ = p->unprotect ();
        }
        | MIDI    {
                Output_def *p = get_midi (parser);
-               $$ = p;
+               $$ = p->unprotect ();
                parser->lexer_->add_scope (p->scope_);
        }
        | LAYOUT        {
                Output_def *p = get_layout (parser);
 
                parser->lexer_->add_scope (p->scope_);
-               $$ = p;
+               $$ = p->unprotect ();
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1080,30 +918,58 @@ output_def_head_with_mode_switch:
        }
        ;
 
+// We need this weird nonterminal because both music as well as a
+// context definition can start with \context and the difference is
+// only apparent after looking at the next token.  If it is '{', there
+// is still time to escape from notes mode.
+
+music_or_context_def:
+       music_arg
+       {
+               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
+       }
+       | CONTEXT
+       {
+               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
+       } '{' context_def_spec_body '}'
+       {
+               $$ = $4;
+       }
+       ;
+
 output_def_body:
        output_def_head_with_mode_switch '{' {
                $$ = $1;
-               $$->input_origin_.set_spot (@$);
+               unsmob_output_def ($$)->input_origin_.set_spot (@$);
        }
        | output_def_head_with_mode_switch '{' OUTPUT_DEF_IDENTIFIER    {
-               $1->unprotect ();
-
                Output_def *o = unsmob_output_def ($3);
                o->input_origin_.set_spot (@$);
-               $$ = o;
-               $$->protect ();
+               $$ = o->self_scm ();
                parser->lexer_->remove_scope ();
                parser->lexer_->add_scope (o->scope_);
        }
        | output_def_body assignment  {
 
        }
-       | output_def_body context_def_spec_block        {
-               assign_context_def ($$, $2);
+       | output_def_body embedded_scm  {
+
        }
-       | output_def_body music_arg {
-               SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("output-def-music-handler");
-               scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $1->self_scm (), $2);
+       | output_def_body
+       {
+               SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
+       } music_or_context_def
+       {
+               if (unsmob_context_def ($3))
+                       assign_context_def (unsmob_output_def ($1), $3);
+               else {
+
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier
+                                    ("output-def-music-handler");
+                       scm_call_3 (proc, parser->self_scm (),
+                                   $1, $3);
+               }
        }
        | output_def_body error {
 
@@ -1129,11 +995,9 @@ music_list:
        /* empty */ {
                $$ = SCM_EOL;
        }
-       | music_list music {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($2, $1);
-       }
-       | music_list embedded_scm {
-
+       | music_list music_embedded {
+               if (unsmob_music ($2))
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($2, $1);
        }
        | music_list error {
                Music *m = MY_MAKE_MUSIC("Music", @$);
@@ -1155,16 +1019,27 @@ music:  music_arg
        | lyric_element_music
        ;
 
+music_embedded:
+       music
+       | embedded_scm
+       {
+               if (unsmob_music ($1)
+                   || scm_is_eq ($1, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+                       $$ = $1;
+               else
+               {
+                       @$.warning (_ ("Ignoring non-music expression"));
+                       $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
+               }
+       }
+       ;
+
 music_arg:
        simple_music
        {
-               if (unsmob_pitch ($1)) {
-                       Music *n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", @1);
-                       n->set_property ("pitch", $1);
-                       n->set_property ("duration",
-                                        parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
-                       $$ = n->unprotect ();
-               }
+               $$ = make_music_from_simple (parser, @1, $1);
+                if (!unsmob_music ($$))
+                        parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("music expected"));
        }
        | composite_music %prec COMPOSITE
        ;
@@ -1172,7 +1047,6 @@ music_arg:
 music_assign:
        simple_music
        | composite_music %prec COMPOSITE
-       | lyric_element_music
        ;
 
 repeated_music:
@@ -1250,7 +1124,8 @@ context_mod_list:
             $$ = Context_mod ().smobbed_copy ();
         }
         | context_mod_list context_mod  {
-                 unsmob_context_mod ($1)->add_context_mod ($2);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       unsmob_context_mod ($1)->add_context_mod ($2);
         }
         | context_mod_list CONTEXT_MOD_IDENTIFIER {
                  Context_mod *md = unsmob_context_mod ($2);
@@ -1275,6 +1150,7 @@ closed_music:
        {
                $$ = FINISH_MAKE_SYNTAX ($1, @$, $2);
        }
+       | music_function_call_closed
        ;
 
 music_bare:
@@ -1292,6 +1168,34 @@ grouped_music_list:
  MUSIC_FUNCTION EXPECT_PITCH EXPECT_SCM EXPECT_SCM EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS
 and this rule returns the reversed list of arguments. */
 
+/* Function argument lists come in a number of flavors.  Whenever
+ * LilyPond has to pick between different flavors, the decision is
+ * either made because of tokens it has already seen, or it is
+ * postponed until tokens suitable for making the decision come up.
+ * For postponing decisions, it may be necessary that the competing
+ * rules are written in a way making them compatible until a decision
+ * can be made.  Sometimes this is done by putting common traits into
+ * a separate "common" rule set.
+ *
+ * function_arglist: a full argument list.  Optional arguments at the
+ * end of the list can only be skipped by writing \default in their
+ * place.
+ *
+ * function_arglist_backup: an argument list ending in an optional
+ * argument that may be skipped depending on its predicate.
+ *
+ * function_arglist_skip: an argument list _not_ ending in an optional
+ * argument that is actually taken.
+ *
+ * function_arglist_nonbackup: an argument list ending in an optional
+ * argument that may not be skipped because it is in end position and
+ * has not been shortcircuited with \default.
+ *
+ * function_arglist* / function_arglist_closed*: The closed variants
+ * don't end in simple music expressions that might still accept
+ * things like a duration or a postevent.
+ */
+
 function_arglist_skip:
        function_arglist_common
        | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_skip
@@ -1309,22 +1213,14 @@ function_arglist_skip:
        ;
 
 
-function_arglist_nonbackup:
+function_arglist_nonbackup_common:
        EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist pitch_also_in_chords {
                $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
        }
        | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_closed duration_length {
                $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist embedded_scm_arg_closed
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed bare_number_closed
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed FRACTION
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist FRACTION
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
        }
@@ -1340,11 +1236,8 @@ function_arglist_nonbackup:
                else {
                        Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("FingeringEvent", @5);
                        t->set_property ("digit", $5);
-                       $$ = t->unprotect ();
-                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $$)))
-                               $$ = scm_cons ($$, $3);
-                       else
-                               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, n, $3, $2);
+                       $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, t->unprotect (),
+                                              $3, $2, n);
                }
                
        }
@@ -1362,6 +1255,164 @@ function_arglist_nonbackup:
        }
        ;
 
+function_arglist_closed_nonbackup:
+       function_arglist_nonbackup_common
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed bare_number_closed
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                      try_string_variants ($2, $4),
+                                      $3, $2, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist STRING
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                      try_string_variants ($2, $4),
+                                      $3, $2, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist LYRICS_STRING
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                      try_string_variants ($2, $4),
+                                      $3, $2, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist lyric_markup
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       ;
+
+symbol_list_arg:
+       SYMBOL_LIST
+       | SYMBOL_LIST '.' symbol_list_rev
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append (scm_list_2 ($1, scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL)));
+       }
+       ;
+
+symbol_list_rev:
+       symbol_list_part
+       | symbol_list_rev '.' symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($3, $1));
+       }
+       ;
+
+// symbol_list_part delivers elements in reverse copy.
+
+symbol_list_part:
+       symbol_list_element
+       {
+               SCM sym_l_p = ly_lily_module_constant ("symbol-list?");
+               $$ = try_string_variants (sym_l_p, $1);
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($$)) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("not a symbol"));
+                       $$ = SCM_EOL;
+               } else
+                       $$ = scm_reverse ($$);
+       }
+       ;
+
+
+symbol_list_element:
+       STRING
+       | LYRICS_STRING
+       | embedded_scm_bare
+       ;
+
+
+function_arglist_nonbackup:
+       function_arglist_nonbackup_common
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist embedded_scm_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed bare_number
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE lyric_element_music
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       ;
+
+function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse:
+       EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($2, make_music_from_simple
+                          (parser, @4, $4))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, LYRICS_STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist LYRICS_STRING
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($2, make_music_from_simple
+                          (parser, @4, $4))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, LYRICS_STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist STRING
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist lyric_markup
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($2, make_music_from_simple
+                          (parser, @4, $4))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, LYRICS_STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       ;
 
 function_arglist_keep:
        function_arglist_common
@@ -1381,7 +1432,7 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                        $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
                } else {
                        $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (SCM_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+                       MYBACKUP (SCM_ARG, $4, @4);
                }
        }
        | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep post_event_nofinger
@@ -1394,21 +1445,13 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                        MYBACKUP (EVENT_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep lyric_element
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep lyric_markup
        {
-               // There is no point interpreting a lyrics string as
-               // an event, since we don't allow music possibly
-               // followed by durations or postevent into closed
-               // music, and we only accept closed music in optional
-               // arguments at the moment.  If this changes, more
-               // complex schemes might become interesting here as
-               // well: see how we do this at the mandatory argument
-               // point.
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
                        $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
                else {
                        $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (LYRICS_STRING, $4, @4);
+                       MYBACKUP (LYRIC_ELEMENT, $4, @4);
                }
        }
        | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep UNSIGNED
@@ -1443,7 +1486,7 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                        MYBACKUP (NUMBER_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep FRACTION
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep FRACTION
        {
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
                {
@@ -1480,6 +1523,7 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                        MYREPARSE (@5, $2, REAL, n);
                        $$ = $3;
                } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
                        MYBACKUP (REAL, n, @5);
                }
        }
@@ -1489,6 +1533,7 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, n))) {
                        $$ = scm_cons (n, $3);
                } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
                        MYBACKUP (NUMBER_IDENTIFIER, n, @5);
                }
        }
@@ -1500,25 +1545,64 @@ function_arglist_backup:
        {
                $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
        }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res)) {
+                               $$ = $3;
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       }
+                       else
+                               $$ = scm_cons (res, $3);
+               else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (SCM_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep STRING
+       {
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res)) {
+                               $$ = $3;
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       }
+                       else
+                               $$ = scm_cons (res, $3);
+               else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (STRING, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep LYRICS_STRING
+       {
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res)) {
+                               $$ = $3;
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       }
+                       else
+                               $$ = scm_cons (res, $3);
+               else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (LYRICS_STRING, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
        | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup BACKUP
        {
                $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
                MYBACKUP(0, SCM_UNDEFINED, @3);
        }
-       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE embedded_scm_arg_closed
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $1, $2);
-       }
        | function_arglist_backup REPARSE bare_number
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE fraction
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE symbol_list_arg
        {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $1, $2);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1539,75 +1623,121 @@ function_arglist_common:
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional fraction
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional FRACTION
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
        | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional post_event_nofinger
        {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $2, $1);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, n, $2, $1);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE lyric_element_music
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE bare_number
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | function_arglist_common_minus
-       | function_arglist_common_lyric
        ;
 
-function_arglist_common_lyric:
-       EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional lyric_element
+function_arglist_common_reparse:
+       EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional SCM_IDENTIFIER
        {
-               // We check how the predicate thinks about a lyrics
-               // event or about a markup.  If it accepts neither, we
-               // backup the original token.  Otherwise we commit to
-               // taking the token.  Depending on what the predicate
-               // is willing to accept, we interpret as a string, as
-               // a lyric event, or ambiguously (meaning that if
-               // something looking like a duration or post event
-               // follows, we take the event, otherwise the string).
-               SCM lyric_event = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @3, $3,
-                                              parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $3)))
-                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, lyric_event)))
-                       {
-                               $$ = $2;
-                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRICS_STRING, $3);
-                       } else {
-                               $$ = scm_cons ($3, $2);
-                       }
-               else if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, lyric_event)))
-               {
-                       $$ = $2;
+               $$ = $2;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($1, $3);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($1, make_music_from_simple (parser, @3, $3))))
                        MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRIC_ELEMENT, $3);
-               } else {
+               else
                        // This is going to flag a syntax error, we
                        // know the predicate to be false.
-                       check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                         $3, $2, $1);
-               }
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
        }
-       | function_arglist_common_lyric REPARSE lyric_element_arg
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional STRING
        {
-               // This should never be false
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $1, $2);
+               $$ = $2;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($1, $3);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else
+                       // This is going to flag a syntax error, we
+                       // know the predicate to be false.
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
        }
-       ;
-
-function_arglist_common_minus:
-       EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' UNSIGNED
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional LYRICS_STRING
+       {
+               $$ = $2;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($1, $3);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($1, make_music_from_simple (parser, @3, $3))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRIC_ELEMENT, $3);
+               else
+                       // This is going to flag a syntax error, we
+                       // know the predicate to be false.
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional lyric_markup
+       {
+               $$ = $2;
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $3)))
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($1, make_music_from_simple (parser, @3, $3))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRIC_ELEMENT, $3);
+               else
+                       // This is going to flag a syntax error, we
+                       // know the predicate to be false.
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' UNSIGNED
        {
+               $$ = $2;
                SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, n))) {
-                       $$ = $2;
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, n)))
                        MYREPARSE (@4, $1, REAL, n);
-               else {
+               else {
                        Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("FingeringEvent", @4);
                        t->set_property ("digit", $4);
-                       $$ = t->unprotect ();
-                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $$)))
-                               $$ = scm_cons ($$, $2);
+                       SCM m = t->unprotect ();
+                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, m)))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $1, SCM_ARG, m);
                        else
-                               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, n, $2, $1);
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $1, SCM_ARG, $4);
                }
                
        }
@@ -1617,20 +1747,11 @@ function_arglist_common_minus:
                SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                MYREPARSE (@4, $1, REAL, n);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
-       {
-               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, n, $2, $1);
-       }
-       | function_arglist_common_minus REPARSE bare_number
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
-       }
        ;
 
 function_arglist_closed:
        function_arglist_closed_common
-       | function_arglist_nonbackup
+       | function_arglist_closed_nonbackup
        ;
 
 function_arglist_closed_common:
@@ -1645,28 +1766,6 @@ function_arglist_closed_common:
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' UNSIGNED
-       {
-               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, n))) {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (n, $2);
-               } else {
-                       Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("FingeringEvent", @4);
-                       t->set_property ("digit", $4);
-                       $$ = t->unprotect ();
-                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $$)))
-                               $$ = scm_cons ($$, $2);
-                       else
-                               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, n, $2, $1);
-               }
-               
-       }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' REAL
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED),
-                                      $2, $1);
-       }
        | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
@@ -1678,15 +1777,24 @@ function_arglist_closed_common:
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional fraction
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional FRACTION
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional lyric_element
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE bare_number
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1826,14 +1934,14 @@ mode_changed_music:
 mode_changing_head:
        NOTEMODE {
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
 
                $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("notes");
        }
        | DRUMMODE
                {
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("drumPitchNames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
 
                $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("drums");
        }
@@ -1846,7 +1954,7 @@ mode_changing_head:
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("chordmodifiers");
                parser->lexer_->chordmodifier_tab_ = alist_to_hashq (nn);
                nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_chord_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_chord_state (nn);
                $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("chords");
 
        }
@@ -1859,7 +1967,7 @@ mode_changing_head:
 mode_changing_head_with_context:
        DRUMS {
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("drumPitchNames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
 
                $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("DrumStaff");
        }
@@ -1872,7 +1980,7 @@ mode_changing_head_with_context:
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("chordmodifiers");
                parser->lexer_->chordmodifier_tab_ = alist_to_hashq (nn);
                nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_chord_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_chord_state (nn);
                $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("ChordNames");
        }
        | LYRICS
@@ -1918,19 +2026,13 @@ context_change:
        ;
 
 
-property_path_revved:
-       embedded_scm_closed {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, SCM_EOL);
-       }
-       | property_path_revved embedded_scm_closed {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($2, $1);
-       }
-       ;
-
 property_path:
-       property_path_revved  {
+       symbol_list_rev  {
                $$ = scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL);
        }
+       | symbol_list_rev property_path {
+               $$ = scm_reverse_x ($1, $2);
+       }
        ;
 
 property_operation:
@@ -1942,15 +2044,73 @@ property_operation:
                $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_symbol2scm ("unset"),
                        scm_string_to_symbol ($2));
        }
-       | OVERRIDE simple_string property_path '=' scalar {
-               $$ = scm_append (scm_list_2 (scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("push"),
-                                                       scm_string_to_symbol ($2), $5),
-                                            $3));
+       | OVERRIDE property_path '=' scalar {
+               if (scm_ilength ($2) < 2) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _("bad grob property path"));
+                       $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (ly_symbol2scm ("push"),
+                                      scm_cons2 (scm_car ($2),
+                                                 $4,
+                                                 scm_cdr ($2)));
+               }
        }
-       | REVERT simple_string embedded_scm {
+       | REVERT revert_arg {
                $$ = scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("pop"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($2), $3);
+                                scm_car ($2),
+                                scm_cdr ($2));
+       }
+       ;
+
+// This is all quite awkward for the sake of substantial backward
+// compatibility while at the same time allowing a more "natural" form
+// of specification not separating grob specification from grob
+// property path.  The purpose of this definition of revert_arg is to
+// allow the symbol list which specifies grob and property to revert
+// to be optionally be split into two parts after the grob (which in
+// this case is just the first element of the list).  symbol_list_part
+// is only one path component, but it can be parsed without lookahead,
+// so we can follow it with a synthetic BACKUP token when needed.  If
+// the first symbol_list_part already contains multiple elements (only
+// possible if a Scheme expression provides them), we just parse for
+// additional elements introduced by '.', which is what the
+// SYMBOL_LIST backup in connection with the immediately following
+// rule using symbol_list_arg does.
+//
+// As long as we don't have our coffers filled with both grob and at
+// least one grob property specification, the rest of the required
+// symbol list chain may be provided either with or without a leading
+// dot.  This is for both allowing the traditional
+// \revert Accidental #'color
+// as well as well as the "naive" form
+// \revert Accidental.color
+
+revert_arg:
+       revert_arg_part
+       {
+               if (scm_is_null ($1)
+                   || scm_is_null (scm_cdr ($1)))
+                       MYBACKUP (SCM_ARG, $1, @1);
+               else
+                       MYBACKUP (SYMBOL_LIST, scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL), @1);
+       }
+       | revert_arg BACKUP symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+       }
+       ;
+
+// revert_arg_part delivers results in reverse
+revert_arg_part:
+       symbol_list_part
+       | revert_arg BACKUP SCM_ARG '.' symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($5, $3));
        }
+       | revert_arg BACKUP SCM_ARG symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($4, $3));
+       }               
        ;
 
 context_def_mod:
@@ -1988,52 +2148,141 @@ context_mod:
        }
        ;
 
-context_prop_spec:
-       simple_string {
-               if (!is_regular_identifier ($1))
+// If defined, at least two members.
+grob_prop_spec:
+       symbol_list_rev
+       {
+               SCM l = scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL);
+               if (scm_is_pair (l)
+                   && to_boolean
+                   (scm_object_property (scm_car (l),
+                                         ly_symbol2scm ("is-grob?"))))
+                       l = scm_cons (ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom"), l);
+               if (scm_is_null (l) || scm_is_null (scm_cdr (l))) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bad grob property path"));
+                       l = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               }
+               $$ = l;
+       }
+       ;
+
+// If defined, at least three members
+grob_prop_path:
+       grob_prop_spec
+       {
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1) && scm_is_null (scm_cddr ($1)))
                {
-                       @$.error (_("Grob name should be alphanumeric"));
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bad grob property path"));
+                       $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               }
+       }
+       | grob_prop_spec property_path
+       {
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1)) {
+                       $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($1, $2));
+                       if (scm_is_null (scm_cddr ($$))) {
+                               parser->parser_error (@$, _ ("bad grob property path"));
+                               $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+                       }
                }
 
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($1));
        }
-       | simple_string '.' simple_string {
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (scm_string_to_symbol ($1),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($3));
+       ;
+
+// Exactly two elements or undefined
+context_prop_spec:
+       symbol_list_rev
+       {
+               SCM l = scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL);
+               switch (scm_ilength (l)) {
+               case 1:
+                       l = scm_cons (ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom"), l);
+               case 2:
+                       break;
+               default:
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bad context property path"));
+                       l = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               }
+               $$ = l;
        }
        ;
 
 simple_music_property_def:
-       OVERRIDE context_prop_spec property_path '=' scalar {
-               $$ = scm_append (scm_list_2 (scm_list_n (scm_car ($2),
-                               ly_symbol2scm ("OverrideProperty"),
-                               scm_cadr ($2),
-                               $5, SCM_UNDEFINED),
-                               $3));
-       }
-       | REVERT context_prop_spec embedded_scm {
-               $$ = scm_list_4 (scm_car ($2),
-                       ly_symbol2scm ("RevertProperty"),
-                       scm_cadr ($2),
-                       $3);
+       OVERRIDE grob_prop_path '=' scalar {
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               else {
+                       $$ = scm_list_5 (scm_car ($2),
+                                        ly_symbol2scm ("OverrideProperty"),
+                                        scm_cadr ($2),
+                                        $4,
+                                        scm_cddr ($2));
+               }
+       }
+       | REVERT simple_revert_context revert_arg {
+               $$ = scm_list_4 ($2,
+                                ly_symbol2scm ("RevertProperty"),
+                                scm_car ($3),
+                                scm_cdr ($3));
        }
        | SET context_prop_spec '=' scalar {
-               $$ = scm_list_4 (scm_car ($2),
-                       ly_symbol2scm ("PropertySet"),
-                       scm_cadr ($2),
-                       $4);
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               else
+                       $$ = scm_list_4 (scm_car ($2),
+                                        ly_symbol2scm ("PropertySet"),
+                                        scm_cadr ($2),
+                                        $4);
        }
        | UNSET context_prop_spec {
-               $$ = scm_list_3 (scm_car ($2),
-                       ly_symbol2scm ("PropertyUnset"),
-                       scm_cadr ($2));
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               else
+                       $$ = scm_list_3 (scm_car ($2),
+                                        ly_symbol2scm ("PropertyUnset"),
+                                        scm_cadr ($2));
+       }
+       ;
+
+
+// This is all quite awkward for the sake of substantial backward
+// compatibility while at the same time allowing a more "natural" form
+// of specification not separating grob specification from grob
+// property path.  The purpose of this definition of
+// simple_revert_context is to allow the symbol list which specifies
+// grob and property to revert to be optionally be split into two
+// parts after the grob (which may be preceded by a context
+// specification, a case which we distinguish by checking whether the
+// first symbol is a valid grob symbol instead).
+//
+// See revert_arg above for the main work horse of this arrangement.
+// simple_revert_context just caters for the context and delegates the
+// rest of the job to revert_arg.
+
+simple_revert_context:
+       symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $1 = scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL);
+               if (scm_is_null ($1)
+                   || to_boolean
+                   (scm_object_property (scm_car ($1),
+                                         ly_symbol2scm ("is-grob?")))) {
+                       $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom");
+                       parser->lexer_->push_extra_token (SCM_IDENTIFIER, $1);
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_car ($1);
+                       parser->lexer_->push_extra_token (SCM_IDENTIFIER,
+                                                         scm_cdr ($1));
+               }
        }
        ;
 
 music_property_def:
        simple_music_property_def {
-               $$ = LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (ly_lily_module_constant ("property-operation"), scm_cons2 (parser->self_scm (), make_input (@$), $1));
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
+                       $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("void-music", @1);
+               else
+                       $$ = LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (ly_lily_module_constant ("property-operation"), scm_cons2 (parser->self_scm (), make_input (@$), $1));
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2041,10 +2290,16 @@ string:
        STRING {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
+       | full_markup
        | string '+' string {
+               if (!scm_is_string ($1)) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, (_ ("simple string expected")));
+                       $1 = scm_string (SCM_EOL);
+               }
+               if (!scm_is_string ($3)) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@3, (_ ("simple string expected")));
+                       $3 = scm_string (SCM_EOL);
+               }
                $$ = scm_string_append (scm_list_2 ($1, $3));
        }
        ;
@@ -2055,23 +2310,33 @@ simple_string: STRING {
        | LYRICS_STRING {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
+       | embedded_scm_bare
+       {
+               if (scm_is_string ($1)) {
+                       $$ = $1;
+               } else {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, (_ ("simple string expected")));
+                       $$ = scm_string (SCM_EOL);
+               }
        }
        ;
 
 scalar:
        embedded_scm_arg
+       | SCM_IDENTIFIER
        | bare_number
        | FRACTION
        | lyric_element
+       | STRING
        ;
 
 scalar_closed:
        embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       | SCM_IDENTIFIER
        | bare_number
        | FRACTION
        | lyric_element
+       | STRING
        ;
 
 
@@ -2079,15 +2344,12 @@ event_chord:
        simple_element post_events {
                // Let the rhythmic music iterator sort this mess out.
                if (scm_is_pair ($2)) {
-                       if (unsmob_pitch ($1)) {
-                               Music *n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", @1);
-                               n->set_property ("pitch", $1);
-                               n->set_property ("duration",
-                                                parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
-                               $$ = n->unprotect ();
-                       }
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("articulations",
-                                                        scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
+                       $$ = make_music_from_simple (parser, @1, $1);
+                       if (unsmob_music ($$))
+                                unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("articulations",
+                                                                 scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
+                        else
+                                parser->parser_error (@1, _("music expected"));
                }
        }
        | simple_chord_elements post_events     {
@@ -2152,16 +2414,16 @@ chord_body_elements:
 chord_body_element:
        pitch exclamations questions octave_check post_events
        {
-               int q = $3;
-               int ex = $2;
+               bool q = to_boolean ($3);
+               bool ex = to_boolean ($2);
                SCM check = $4;
                SCM post = $5;
 
                Music *n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", @$);
                n->set_property ("pitch", $1);
-               if (q % 2)
+               if (q)
                        n->set_property ("cautionary", SCM_BOOL_T);
-               if (ex % 2 || q % 2)
+                if (ex || q)
                        n->set_property ("force-accidental", SCM_BOOL_T);
 
                if (scm_is_pair (post)) {
@@ -2212,7 +2474,7 @@ music_function_chord_body:
 // with the last argument of the event function or with the expression
 // for which the function call acts itself as event.
 
-music_function_event:
+music_function_call_closed:
        MUSIC_FUNCTION function_arglist_closed {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("music-function", @$,
                                         $1, $2);
@@ -2283,11 +2545,11 @@ post_event_nofinger:
        direction_less_event {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | script_dir music_function_event {
+       | script_dir music_function_call_closed {
                $$ = $2;
-               if ($1)
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
                {
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("direction", scm_from_int ($1));
+                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("direction", $1);
                }
        }
        | HYPHEN {
@@ -2301,22 +2563,21 @@ post_event_nofinger:
                $$ = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("ExtenderEvent", @$)->unprotect ();
        }
        | script_dir direction_reqd_event {
-               if ($1)
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
                {
                        Music *m = unsmob_music ($2);
-                       m->set_property ("direction", scm_from_int ($1));
+                       m->set_property ("direction", $1);
                }
                $$ = $2;
        }
        | script_dir direction_less_event {
-               if ($1)
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
                {
                        Music *m = unsmob_music ($2);
-                       m->set_property ("direction", scm_from_int ($1));
+                       m->set_property ("direction", $1);
                }
                $$ = $2;
        }
-       | string_number_event
        | '^' fingering
        {
                $$ = $2;
@@ -2339,7 +2600,7 @@ post_event:
 string_number_event:
        E_UNSIGNED {
                Music *s = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("StringNumberEvent", @$);
-               s->set_property ("string-number", scm_from_int ($1));
+               s->set_property ("string-number", $1);
                $$ = s->unprotect ();
        }
        ;
@@ -2392,12 +2653,13 @@ direction_less_event:
                }
                $$ = m->unprotect ();
        }
+       | string_number_event
        | EVENT_IDENTIFIER      {
                $$ = $1;
        }
        | tremolo_type  {
                Music *a = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("TremoloEvent", @$);
-               a->set_property ("tremolo-type", scm_from_int ($1));
+               a->set_property ("tremolo-type", $1);
                $$ = a->unprotect ();
         }
        | event_function_event  
@@ -2419,42 +2681,44 @@ direction_reqd_event:
 
 octave_check:
        /**/ { $$ = SCM_EOL; }
-       | '='  { $$ = scm_from_int (0); }
-       | '=' sub_quotes { $$ = scm_from_int (-$2); }
-       | '=' sup_quotes { $$ = scm_from_int ($2); }
+       | '=' quotes { $$ = $2; }
        ;
 
+quotes:
+       /* empty */
+       {
+                $$ = SCM_INUM0;
+        }
+       | sub_quotes
+        | sup_quotes
+        ;
+
 sup_quotes:
        '\'' {
-               $$ = 1;
+               $$ = scm_from_int (1);
        }
        | sup_quotes '\'' {
-               $$ ++;
+               $$ = scm_oneplus ($1);
        }
        ;
 
 sub_quotes:
        ',' {
-               $$ = 1;
+               $$ = scm_from_int (-1);
        }
        | sub_quotes ',' {
-               $$++;
+               $$ = scm_oneminus ($1);
        }
        ;
 
 steno_pitch:
-       NOTENAME_PITCH  {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | NOTENAME_PITCH sup_quotes     {
-               Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
-               p = p.transposed (Pitch ($2,0,0));
-               $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
-       }
-       | NOTENAME_PITCH sub_quotes      {
-               Pitch p =* unsmob_pitch ($1);
-               p = p.transposed (Pitch (-$2,0,0));
-               $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
+       NOTENAME_PITCH quotes {
+                if (!scm_is_eq (SCM_INUM0, $2))
+                {
+                        Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
+                        p = p.transposed (Pitch (scm_to_int ($2),0,0));
+                        $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
+                }
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2463,26 +2727,18 @@ ugh. duplication
 */
 
 steno_tonic_pitch:
-       TONICNAME_PITCH {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | TONICNAME_PITCH sup_quotes    {
-               Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
-               p = p.transposed (Pitch ($2,0,0));
-               $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
-       }
-       | TONICNAME_PITCH sub_quotes     {
-               Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
-
-               p = p.transposed (Pitch (-$2,0,0));
-               $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
+       TONICNAME_PITCH quotes {
+                if (!scm_is_eq (SCM_INUM0, $2))
+                {
+                        Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
+                        p = p.transposed (Pitch (scm_to_int ($2),0,0));
+                        $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
+                }
        }
        ;
 
 pitch:
-       steno_pitch {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
+       steno_pitch
        | PITCH_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
@@ -2497,12 +2753,30 @@ gen_text_def:
                t->set_property ("text", $1);
                $$ = t->unprotect ();
        }
-       | simple_string {
+       | STRING {
+               Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("TextScriptEvent", @$);
+               t->set_property ("text",
+                       make_simple_markup ($1));
+               $$ = t->unprotect ();
+       }
+       | LYRICS_STRING {
                Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("TextScriptEvent", @$);
                t->set_property ("text",
                        make_simple_markup ($1));
                $$ = t->unprotect ();
        }
+       | embedded_scm_closed
+       {
+               Music *m = unsmob_music ($1);
+               if (m && m->is_mus_type ("post-event"))
+                       $$ = $1;
+               else if (Text_interface::is_markup ($1)) {
+                       Music *t = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("TextScriptEvent", @$);
+                       t->set_property ("text", $1);
+                       $$ = t->unprotect ();
+               } else
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("not an articulation"));
+       }
        ;
 
 fingering:
@@ -2538,9 +2812,9 @@ script_abbreviation:
        ;
 
 script_dir:
-       '_'     { $$ = DOWN; }
-       | '^'   { $$ = UP; }
-       | '-'   { $$ = CENTER; }
+       '_'     { $$ = scm_from_int (DOWN); }
+       | '^'   { $$ = scm_from_int (UP); }
+       | '-'   { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
        ;
 
 duration_length:
@@ -2569,21 +2843,23 @@ optional_notemode_duration:
        ;
 
 steno_duration:
-       bare_unsigned dots              {
+       UNSIGNED dots           {
                int len = 0;
-               if (!is_duration ($1))
-                       parser->parser_error (@1, _f ("not a duration: %d", $1));
+                int n = scm_to_int ($1);
+               if (!is_duration (n))
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _f ("not a duration: %d", n));
                else
-                       len = intlog2 ($1);
+                       len = intlog2 (n);
 
-               $$ = Duration (len, $2).smobbed_copy ();
+               $$ = Duration (len, scm_to_int ($2)).smobbed_copy ();
        }
        | DURATION_IDENTIFIER dots      {
                Duration *d = unsmob_duration ($1);
-               Duration k (d->duration_log (), d->dot_count () + $2);
+               Duration k (d->duration_log (),
+                            d->dot_count () + scm_to_int ($2));
                k = k.compressed (d->factor ());
-               *d = k;
-               $$ = $1;
+                scm_remember_upto_here_1 ($1);
+               $$ = k.smobbed_copy ();
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2591,8 +2867,8 @@ multiplied_duration:
        steno_duration {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | multiplied_duration '*' bare_unsigned {
-               $$ = unsmob_duration ($$)->compressed ( $3) .smobbed_copy ();
+       | multiplied_duration '*' UNSIGNED {
+               $$ = unsmob_duration ($$)->compressed (scm_to_int ($3)).smobbed_copy ();
        }
        | multiplied_duration '*' FRACTION {
                Rational  m (scm_to_int (scm_car ($3)), scm_to_int (scm_cdr ($3)));
@@ -2601,29 +2877,23 @@ multiplied_duration:
        }
        ;
 
-fraction:
-       FRACTION { $$ = $1; }
-       | UNSIGNED '/' UNSIGNED {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       }
-       ;
-
 dots:
        /* empty */     {
-               $$ = 0;
+               $$ = SCM_INUM0;
        }
        | dots '.' {
-               $$ ++;
+               $$ = scm_oneplus ($1);
        }
        ;
 
 tremolo_type:
        ':'     {
-               $$ = 0;
+               $$ = SCM_INUM0;
        }
-       | ':' bare_unsigned {
-               if (!is_duration ($2))
-                       parser->parser_error (@2, _f ("not a duration: %d", $2));
+       | ':' UNSIGNED {
+                int n = scm_to_int ($2);
+               if (!is_duration (n))
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _f ("not a duration: %d", n));
                $$ = $2;
        }
        ;
@@ -2632,6 +2902,18 @@ bass_number:
        UNSIGNED { $$ = $1; }
        | STRING { $$ = $1; }
        | full_markup { $$ = $1; }
+       | embedded_scm_bare
+       {
+               // as an integer, it needs to be non-negative, and otherwise
+               // it needs to be suitable as a markup.
+               if (scm_is_integer ($1)
+                   ? scm_is_true (scm_negative_p ($1))
+                   : !Text_interface::is_markup ($1))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bass number expected"));
+                       $$ = SCM_INUM0;
+               }
+       }
        ;
 
 figured_bass_alteration:
@@ -2735,18 +3017,22 @@ figure_spec:
 
 
 optional_rest:
-       /**/   { $$ = 0; }
-       | REST { $$ = 1; }
+       /**/   { $$ = SCM_BOOL_F; }
+       | REST { $$ = SCM_BOOL_T; }
        ;
 
 simple_element:
        pitch exclamations questions octave_check maybe_notemode_duration optional_rest {
                if (!parser->lexer_->is_note_state ())
                        parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("have to be in Note mode for notes"));
-               if ($2 || $3 || scm_is_number ($4) || !SCM_UNBNDP ($5) || $6)
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($2)
+                    || !SCM_UNBNDP ($3)
+                    || scm_is_number ($4)
+                    || !SCM_UNBNDP ($5)
+                    || scm_is_true ($6))
                {
                        Music *n = 0;
-                       if ($6)
+                       if (scm_is_true ($6))
                                n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("RestEvent", @$);
                        else
                                n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", @$);
@@ -2764,9 +3050,9 @@ simple_element:
                                n->set_property ("absolute-octave", scm_from_int (q-1));
                        }
                        
-                       if ($3 % 2)
+                       if (to_boolean ($3))
                                n->set_property ("cautionary", SCM_BOOL_T);
-                       if ($2 % 2 || $3 % 2)
+                       if (to_boolean ($2) || to_boolean ($3))
                                n->set_property ("force-accidental", SCM_BOOL_T);
                        
                        $$ = n->unprotect ();
@@ -2816,31 +3102,9 @@ lyric_element:
        | LYRICS_STRING {
                $$ = $1;
        }
+       | LYRIC_ELEMENT
        ;
 
-lyric_element_arg:
-       lyric_element
-       | lyric_element multiplied_duration post_events {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @$, $1, $2);
-               if (scm_is_pair ($3))
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property
-                               ("articulations", scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL));
-       }
-       | lyric_element post_event post_events {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @$, $1,
-                                 parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
-               unsmob_music ($$)->set_property
-                       ("articulations", scm_cons ($2, scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL)));
-       }
-       | LYRIC_ELEMENT optional_notemode_duration post_events {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @$, $1, $2);
-               if (scm_is_pair ($3))
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property
-                               ("articulations", scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL));
-       }
-       ;
-
-
 lyric_element_music:
        lyric_element optional_notemode_duration post_events {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @$, $1, $2);
@@ -2904,23 +3168,23 @@ step_numbers:
        ;
 
 step_number:
-       bare_unsigned {
+       UNSIGNED {
                $$ = make_chord_step ($1, 0);
         }
-       | bare_unsigned '+' {
+       | UNSIGNED '+' {
                $$ = make_chord_step ($1, SHARP_ALTERATION);
        }
-       | bare_unsigned CHORD_MINUS {
+       | UNSIGNED CHORD_MINUS {
                $$ = make_chord_step ($1, FLAT_ALTERATION);
        }
        ;
 
 tempo_range:
-       bare_unsigned {
-               $$ = scm_from_int ($1);
+       UNSIGNED {
+               $$ = $1;
        }
-       | bare_unsigned '~' bare_unsigned {
-               $$ = scm_cons (scm_from_int ($1), scm_from_int ($3));
+       | UNSIGNED '~' UNSIGNED {
+               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2976,25 +3240,31 @@ bare_number_closed:
        | NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
-bare_unsigned:
-       UNSIGNED {
-               $$ = scm_to_int ($1);
-       }
-       ;
-
 unsigned_number:
        UNSIGNED
        | NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
 exclamations:
-               { $$ = 0; }
-       | exclamations '!'      { $$ ++; }
+               { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
+       | exclamations '!'
+        {
+                if (SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
+                        $$ = SCM_BOOL_T;
+                else
+                        $$ = scm_not ($1);
+        }
        ;
 
 questions:
-               { $$ = 0; }
-       | questions '?' { $$ ++; }
+       { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
+       | questions '?'
+        {
+                if (SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
+                        $$ = SCM_BOOL_T;
+                else
+                        $$ = scm_not ($1);
+        }
        ;
 
 /*
@@ -3002,10 +3272,7 @@ This should be done more dynamically if possible.
 */
 
 lyric_markup:
-       LYRIC_MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | LYRIC_MARKUP
+       LYRIC_MARKUP
                { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
        markup_top {
                $$ = $3;
@@ -3014,10 +3281,7 @@ lyric_markup:
        ;
 
 full_markup_list:
-       MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | MARKUPLIST
+       MARKUPLIST
                { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
        markup_list {
                $$ = $3;
@@ -3026,10 +3290,7 @@ full_markup_list:
        ;
 
 full_markup:
-       MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | MARKUP
+       MARKUP
                { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
        markup_top {
                $$ = $3;
@@ -3065,10 +3326,7 @@ markup_scm:
                        
 
 markup_list:
-       MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | markup_composed_list {
+       markup_composed_list {
                $$ = $1;
        }
        | markup_braced_list {
@@ -3150,22 +3408,11 @@ simple_markup:
        STRING {
                $$ = make_simple_markup ($1);
        }
-       | MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | LYRIC_MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
        | SCORE {
                SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
-               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (alist_to_hashq (nn));
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
        } '{' score_body '}' {
-               Score * sc = $4;
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_lily_module_constant ("score-markup"), sc->self_scm ());
-               sc->unprotect ();
+               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_lily_module_constant ("score-markup"), $4);
                parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
        }
        | MARKUP_FUNCTION markup_command_basic_arguments {
@@ -3195,10 +3442,12 @@ Lily_parser::set_yydebug (bool x)
        yydebug = x;
 }
 
-void
+SCM
 Lily_parser::do_yyparse ()
 {
-       yyparse (this);
+        SCM retval = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+       yyparse (this, &retval);
+        return retval;
 }
 
 
@@ -3214,10 +3463,7 @@ otherwise, we have to import music classes into the lexer.
 int
 Lily_lexer::try_special_identifiers (SCM *destination, SCM sid)
 {
-       if (scm_is_string (sid)) {
-               *destination = sid;
-               return STRING_IDENTIFIER;
-       } else if (unsmob_book (sid)) {
+       if (unsmob_book (sid)) {
                Book *book =  unsmob_book (sid)->clone ();
                *destination = book->self_scm ();
                book->unprotect ();
@@ -3237,12 +3483,6 @@ Lily_lexer::try_special_identifiers (SCM *destination, SCM sid)
                 *destination = unsmob_context_mod (sid)->smobbed_copy ();
 
                 return CONTEXT_MOD_IDENTIFIER;
-       } else if (unsmob_score (sid)) {
-               Score *score = new Score (*unsmob_score (sid));
-               *destination = score->self_scm ();
-
-               score->unprotect ();
-               return SCORE_IDENTIFIER;
        } else if (Music *mus = unsmob_music (sid)) {
                mus = mus->clone ();
                *destination = mus->self_scm ();
@@ -3265,14 +3505,6 @@ Lily_lexer::try_special_identifiers (SCM *destination, SCM sid)
                *destination = p->self_scm ();
                p->unprotect ();
                return OUTPUT_DEF_IDENTIFIER;
-       } else if (Text_interface::is_markup (sid)) {
-               *destination = sid;
-               if (is_lyric_state ())
-                       return LYRIC_MARKUP_IDENTIFIER;
-               return MARKUP_IDENTIFIER;
-       } else if (Text_interface::is_markup_list (sid)) {
-               *destination = sid;
-               return MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER;
        }
 
        return -1;
@@ -3294,14 +3526,34 @@ get_next_unique_lyrics_context_id ()
        return scm_from_locale_string (s);
 }
 
+// check_scheme_arg checks one argument with a given predicate for use
+// in an argument list and throws a syntax error if it is unusable.
+// The argument is prepended to the argument list in any case.  After
+// throwing a syntax error, the argument list is terminated with #f as
+// its last cdr in order to mark it as uncallable while not losing
+// track of its total length.
+//
+// There are a few special considerations: if optional argument disp
+// is given (otherwise it defaults to SCM_UNDEFINED), it will be used
+// instead of arg in a prospective error message.  This is useful if
+// arg is not the actual argument but rather a transformation of it.
+//
+// If arg itself is SCM_UNDEFINED, the predicate is considered false
+// and an error message using disp is produced unconditionally.
+
 SCM check_scheme_arg (Lily_parser *parser, Input loc,
-                     SCM arg, SCM args, SCM pred)
+                     SCM arg, SCM args, SCM pred, SCM disp)
 {
-       args = scm_cons (arg, args);
-       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, arg)))
-               return args;
+       if (SCM_UNBNDP (arg))
+               args = scm_cons (disp, args);
+       else {
+               args = scm_cons (arg, args);
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, arg)))
+                       return args;
+       }
        scm_set_cdr_x (scm_last_pair (args), SCM_EOL);
-       MAKE_SYNTAX ("argument-error", loc, scm_length (args), pred, arg);
+       MAKE_SYNTAX ("argument-error", loc, scm_length (args), pred,
+                    SCM_UNBNDP (disp) ? arg : disp);
        scm_set_cdr_x (scm_last_pair (args), SCM_BOOL_F);
        return args;
 }
@@ -3317,23 +3569,103 @@ SCM loc_on_music (Input loc, SCM arg)
        return arg;
 }
 
+SCM
+try_string_variants (SCM pred, SCM str)
+{
+       // a matching predicate is always ok
+       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, str)))
+               return str;
+       // a symbol may be interpreted as a list of symbols if it helps
+       if (scm_is_symbol (str)) {
+               str = scm_list_1 (str);
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, str)))
+                       return str;
+               return SCM_UNDEFINED;
+       }
+
+       // If this cannot be a string representation of a symbol list,
+       // we are through.
+
+       if (!is_regular_identifier (str, true))
+               return SCM_UNDEFINED;
+
+       str = scm_string_split (str, SCM_MAKE_CHAR ('.'));
+       for (SCM p = str; scm_is_pair (p); p = scm_cdr (p))
+               scm_set_car_x (p, scm_string_to_symbol (scm_car (p)));
+
+       // Let's attempt the symbol list interpretation first.
+
+       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, str)))
+               return str;
+
+       // If there is just one symbol in the list, we might interpret
+       // it as a single symbol
+
+       if (scm_is_null (scm_cdr (str)))
+       {
+               str = scm_car (str);
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 (pred, str)))
+                       return str;
+       }
+
+       return SCM_UNDEFINED;
+}
+
 bool
-is_regular_identifier (SCM id)
+is_regular_identifier (SCM id, bool multiple)
 {
+  if (!scm_is_string (id))
+         return false;
+
   string str = ly_scm2string (id);
-  char const *s = str.c_str ();
 
-  bool v = true;
-#if 0
-  isalpha (*s);
-  s++;
-#endif
-  while (*s && v)
-   {
-        v = v && isalnum (*s);
-        s++;
-   }
-  return v;
+  bool middle = false;
+
+  for (string::iterator it=str.begin(); it != str.end (); it++)
+  {
+         int c = *it & 0xff;
+         if ((c >= 'a' && c <= 'z')
+             || (c >= 'A' && c <= 'Z')
+             || c > 0x7f)
+                 middle = true;
+         else if (middle && (c == '-' || c == '_' || (multiple && c == '.')))
+                 middle = false;
+         else
+                 return false;
+  }
+  return middle;
+}
+
+SCM
+make_music_from_simple (Lily_parser *parser, Input loc, SCM simple)
+{
+       if (unsmob_music (simple))
+               return simple;
+       if (parser->lexer_->is_note_state ()) {
+               if (scm_is_symbol (simple)) {
+                       Music *n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", loc);
+                       n->set_property ("duration", parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
+                       n->set_property ("drum-type", simple);
+                       return n->unprotect ();
+               }
+               if (unsmob_pitch (simple)) {
+                       Music *n = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("NoteEvent", loc);
+                       n->set_property ("duration", parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
+                       n->set_property ("pitch", simple);
+                       return n->unprotect ();
+               }
+               return simple;
+       } else if (parser->lexer_->is_lyric_state ()) {
+               if (Text_interface::is_markup (simple))
+                       return MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", loc, simple,
+                                           parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
+       } else if (parser->lexer_->is_chord_state ()) {
+               if (unsmob_pitch (simple))
+                       return make_chord_elements (loc, simple,
+                                                   parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy (),
+                                                   SCM_EOL);
+       }
+       return simple;
 }
 
 Music *
@@ -3356,17 +3688,11 @@ is_duration (int t)
   return t && t == 1 << intlog2 (t);
 }
 
-void
-set_music_properties (Music *p, SCM a)
-{
-  for (SCM k = a; scm_is_pair (k); k = scm_cdr (k))
-       p->set_property (scm_caar (k), scm_cdar (k));
-}
-
-
 SCM
-make_chord_step (int step, Rational alter)
+make_chord_step (SCM step_scm, Rational alter)
 {
+        int step = scm_to_int (step_scm);
+
        if (step == 7)
                alter += FLAT_ALTERATION;