]> git.donarmstrong.com Git - lilypond.git/blobdiff - lily/parser.yy
Imported Upstream version 2.18.0
[lilypond.git] / lily / parser.yy
index 020a998886de9d5ea9f791d1da66c7926664e3ac..f6baee2096eeb0fbcdf78a8bfa08f73ba4b5d993 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.
 
 
 /* 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
@@ -49,7 +62,7 @@ deleting them.  Let's hope that a stack overflow doesn't trigger a move
 of the parse stack onto the heap. */
 
 %left PREC_BOT
-%nonassoc REPEAT
+%nonassoc REPEAT REPEAT_IDENTIFIER
 %nonassoc ALTERNATIVE
 
 /* The above precedences tackle the shift/reduce problem
@@ -67,40 +80,24 @@ or
 %nonassoc COMPOSITE
 %left ADDLYRICS
 
- /* ADDLYRICS needs to have lower precedence than argument scanning,
-  * or we won't be able to tell music apart from closed_music without
-  * lookahead in the context of function calls.
-  */
+%right ':' UNSIGNED REAL E_UNSIGNED EVENT_IDENTIFIER EVENT_FUNCTION '^' '_'
+       HYPHEN EXTENDER DURATION_IDENTIFIER
 
-%nonassoc DEFAULT
-
- /* \default is only applied after exhausting function arguments */
-
-%nonassoc FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-
- /* expressions with units are permitted into argument lists */
-
-%right PITCH_IDENTIFIER NOTENAME_PITCH TONICNAME_PITCH
-      UNSIGNED REAL DURATION_IDENTIFIER ':'
-
- /* The above are the symbols that can start optional function arguments
-    that are recognized in the grammar rather than by predicate
+ /* The above are needed for collecting tremoli and other items (that
+    could otherwise be interpreted as belonging to the next function
+    argument) greedily, and together with the next rule will serve to
+    join numbers and units greedily instead of allowing them into
+    separate function arguments
  */
 
-%nonassoc NUMBER_IDENTIFIER '/'
-
- /* Number-unit expressions, where permitted, are concatenated into
-  * function arguments, just like fractions and tremoli.  Tremoli must
-  * not have higher precedence than UNSIGNED, or Lilypond will not
-  * join ':' with a following optional number.
-  */
+%nonassoc NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
 
 %left PREC_TOP
 
 
 
 
-%pure_parser
+%pure-parser
 %locations
 
 
@@ -144,7 +141,7 @@ 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 *, const string &s)
 {
        parser->parser_error (*i, s);
 }
@@ -179,18 +176,11 @@ 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)
+#define MY_MAKE_MUSIC(x, spot) \
+       make_music_with_input (ly_symbol2scm (x), \
+                              parser->lexer_->override_input (spot))
 
 /* ES TODO:
 - Don't use lily module, create a new module instead.
@@ -199,12 +189,12 @@ while (0)
 #define LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX(proc, args)       \
   scm_apply_0 (proc, args)
 /* Syntactic Sugar. */
-#define MAKE_SYNTAX(name, location, ...)       \
-  LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (ly_lily_module_constant (name), scm_list_n (parser->self_scm (), make_input (location) , ##__VA_ARGS__, SCM_UNDEFINED))
+#define MAKE_SYNTAX(name, location, ...)                               \
+       LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (ly_lily_module_constant (name), scm_list_n (parser->self_scm (), make_input (parser->lexer_->override_input (location)), ##__VA_ARGS__, SCM_UNDEFINED))
 #define START_MAKE_SYNTAX(name, ...)                                   \
        scm_list_n (ly_lily_module_constant (name) , ##__VA_ARGS__, SCM_UNDEFINED)
 #define FINISH_MAKE_SYNTAX(start, location, ...)                       \
-       LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (scm_car (start), scm_cons2 (parser->self_scm (), make_input (location), scm_append_x (scm_list_2 (scm_cdr (start), scm_list_n (__VA_ARGS__, SCM_UNDEFINED)))))
+       LOWLEVEL_MAKE_SYNTAX (scm_car (start), scm_cons2 (parser->self_scm (), make_input (parser->lexer_->override_input (location)), scm_append_x (scm_list_2 (scm_cdr (start), scm_list_n (__VA_ARGS__, SCM_UNDEFINED)))))
 
 SCM get_next_unique_context_id ();
 SCM get_next_unique_lyrics_context_id ();
@@ -220,15 +210,16 @@ 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);
+SCM make_duration (SCM t, int dots = 0);
+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);
 
 %}
 
@@ -302,16 +293,8 @@ void set_music_properties (Music *p, SCM a);
 %token DOUBLE_ANGLE_OPEN "<<"
 %token DOUBLE_ANGLE_CLOSE ">>"
 %token E_BACKSLASH "\\"
-%token E_ANGLE_CLOSE "\\>"
-%token E_CHAR "\\C[haracter]"
-%token E_CLOSE "\\)"
 %token E_EXCLAMATION "\\!"
-%token E_BRACKET_OPEN "\\["
-%token E_OPEN "\\("
-%token E_BRACKET_CLOSE "\\]"
-%token E_ANGLE_OPEN "\\<"
 %token E_PLUS "\\+"
-%token E_TILDE "\\~"
 %token EXTENDER "__"
 
 /*
@@ -322,235 +305,58 @@ If we give names, Bison complains.
 %token FIGURE_SPACE "_"
 %token HYPHEN "--"
 
-%token CHORDMODIFIERS
-%token LYRIC_MARKUP
 %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_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> music_embedded
-%type <scm> music_or_context_def
-%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> 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_nonbackup_common
-%type <scm> function_arglist_closed_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> 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_call_closed
-%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 CHORD_BODY_IDENTIFIER
+%token CHORD_MODIFIER
+%token CHORD_REPETITION
+%token CONTEXT_DEF_IDENTIFIER
+%token CONTEXT_MOD_IDENTIFIER
+%token DRUM_PITCH
+%token PITCH_IDENTIFIER
+%token PITCH_ARG
+%token DURATION_IDENTIFIER
+%token EVENT_IDENTIFIER
+%token EVENT_FUNCTION
+%token FRACTION
+%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 REPEAT_IDENTIFIER
+%token RESTNAME
+%token SCM_ARG
+%token SCM_FUNCTION
+%token SCM_IDENTIFIER
+%token SCM_TOKEN
+%token STRING
+%token SYMBOL_LIST
+%token TONICNAME_PITCH
 
 %left '-' '+'
 
@@ -568,11 +374,11 @@ start_symbol:
                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 {
@@ -593,28 +399,20 @@ toplevel_expression:
                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");
@@ -624,19 +422,36 @@ 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);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -648,34 +463,25 @@ embedded_scm_bare:
        | SCM_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
+embedded_scm_active:
+       SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       | scm_function_call
+       ;
+
 embedded_scm_bare_arg:
-       embedded_scm_bare
-       | STRING
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER
-       | full_markup
+       SCM_ARG
+       | SCM_TOKEN
+       {
+               $$ = parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($1);
+       }
+       | FRACTION
        | full_markup_list
        | context_modification
        | score_block
-       {
-               $$ = $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 */
@@ -685,10 +491,19 @@ embedded_scm:
        | scm_function_call
        ;
 
+/* embedded_scm_arg is _not_ casting pitches to music by default, this
+ * has to be done by the function itself.  Note that this may cause
+ * the results of scm_function_call or embedded_scm_bare_arg to be
+ * turned into music from pitches as well.  Note that this creates a
+ * distinctly awkward situation for calculated drum pitches.  Those
+ * are at the current point of time rejected as music constituents as
+ * they can't be distinguished from "proper" symbols.
+ */
+
 embedded_scm_arg:
        embedded_scm_bare_arg
        | scm_function_call
-       | music_arg
+       | music_assign
        ;
 
 scm_function_call:
@@ -701,6 +516,10 @@ scm_function_call:
 embedded_lilypond:
        /* empty */
        {
+               // FIXME: @$ does not contain a useful source location
+               // for empty rules, and the only token in the whole
+               // production, EMBEDDED_LILY, is synthetic and also
+               // contains no source location.
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("void-music", @$);
        }
        | identifier_init
@@ -714,17 +533,22 @@ embedded_lilypond:
        }
        | error {
                parser->error_level_ = 1;
+                $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
        }
        | INVALID embedded_lilypond {
                parser->error_level_ = 1;
+                $$ = $2;
        }
        ;
 
 
 lilypond_header_body:
-       /* empty */
+       /* empty */ { $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED; }
        | lilypond_header_body assignment  {
 
+       }
+       | lilypond_header_body embedded_scm  {
+
        }
        ;
 
@@ -739,88 +563,83 @@ lilypond_header:
 */
 assignment_id:
        STRING          { $$ = $1; }
-       | LYRICS_STRING { $$ = $1; }
        ;
 
 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;
+       }
+       | assignment_id '.' property_path '=' identifier_init {
+               SCM path = scm_cons (scm_string_to_symbol ($1), $3);
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (path, $5);
+                $$ = 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 {
-               $$ = $1;
+       score_block
+       | book_block
+       | bookpart_block
+       | output_def
+       | context_def_spec_block
+       | music_assign
+       | post_event_nofinger post_events
+       {
+               $$ = scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL);
+               if (Music *m = unsmob_music ($1))
+               {
+                       if (m->is_mus_type ("post-event-wrapper"))
+                               $$ = scm_append
+                                       (scm_list_2 (m->get_property ("elements"),
+                                                    $$));
+                       else
+                               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $$);
+               }
+               if (scm_is_pair ($$)
+                   && scm_is_null (scm_cdr ($$)))
+                       $$ = scm_car ($$);
+               else
+               {
+                       Music * m = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("PostEvents", @$);
+                       m->set_property ("elements", $$);
+                       $$ = m->unprotect ();
+               }
        }
-        | context_modification {
-                $$ = $1;
-        }
+       | number_expression
+       | FRACTION
+       | string
+        | embedded_scm
+       | full_markup_list
+        | context_modification
        ;
 
 context_def_spec_block:
        CONTEXT '{' context_def_spec_body '}'
                {
                $$ = $3;
+               unsmob_context_def ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
        }
        ;
 
 context_mod_arg:
        embedded_scm
-       | composite_music
+       |
+       {
+               SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
+       }
+       composite_music
+       {
+               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
+               $$ = $2;
+       }
        ;
 
 context_mod_embedded:
@@ -834,6 +653,7 @@ context_mod_embedded:
                        $$ = $1;
                else {
                        parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("not a context mod"));
+                       $$ = Context_mod ().smobbed_copy ();
                }
        }
        ;
@@ -842,14 +662,13 @@ context_mod_embedded:
 context_def_spec_body:
        /**/ {
                $$ = Context_def::make_scm ();
-               unsmob_context_def ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
        }
        | CONTEXT_DEF_IDENTIFIER {
                $$ = $1;
-               unsmob_context_def ($$)->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 ($$);
@@ -872,6 +691,7 @@ context_def_spec_body:
 book_block:
        BOOK '{' book_body '}'  {
                $$ = $3;
+               unsmob_book ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
                pop_paper (parser);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), SCM_BOOL_F);
        }
@@ -882,115 +702,137 @@ book_block:
    * grok \layout and \midi?  */
 book_body:
        {
-               $$ = 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_);
-               $$->header_ = get_header (parser);
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), $$->self_scm ());
+               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 ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-book"), $1);
        }
        | book_body paper_block {
-               $$->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, $$->self_scm (), $2);
+               scm_call_2 (proc, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | book_body SCM_TOKEN {
+               // Evaluate and ignore #xxx, as opposed to \xxx
+               parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($2);
+       }
+       | book_body embedded_scm_active
+       {
+               SCM out = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+               if (Text_interface::is_markup ($2))
+                       out = scm_list_1 ($2);
+               else if (Text_interface::is_markup_list ($2))
+                       out = $2;
+               if (scm_is_pair (out))
+               {
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("book-text-handler");
+                       scm_call_2 (proc, $1, out);
+               } else if (!scm_is_eq ($2, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _("bad expression type"));
        }
        | book_body
        {
-               parser->lexer_->add_scope ($1->header_);
+               parser->lexer_->add_scope (unsmob_book ($1)->header_);
        } lilypond_header
-       | book_body embedded_scm { }
        | book_body error {
-               $$->paper_ = 0;
-               $$->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
-               $$->bookparts_ = SCM_EOL;
+                Book *book = unsmob_book ($1);
+               book->paper_ = 0;
+               book->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
+               book->bookparts_ = SCM_EOL;
        }
        ;
 
 bookpart_block:
        BOOKPART '{' bookpart_body '}' {
                $$ = $3;
+               unsmob_book ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
                parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), SCM_BOOL_F);
        }
        ;
 
 bookpart_body:
        {
-               $$ = new Book;
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
-               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), $$->self_scm ());
+               Book *book = new Book;
+                $$ = book->unprotect ();
+               parser->lexer_->set_identifier (ly_symbol2scm ("$current-bookpart"), $$);
        }
        | BOOK_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = unsmob_book ($1);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->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 SCM_TOKEN {
+               // Evaluate and ignore #xxx, as opposed to \xxx
+               parser->lexer_->eval_scm_token ($2);
+       }
+       | 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
        {
-               if (!ly_is_module ($1->header_))
-                       $1->header_ = ly_make_module (false);
-               parser->lexer_->add_scope ($1->header_);
+                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 embedded_scm { }
        | bookpart_body error {
-               $$->paper_ = 0;
-               $$->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
+                Book *book = unsmob_book ($1);
+               book->paper_ = 0;
+               book->scores_ = SCM_EOL;
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1002,40 +844,43 @@ 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 ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               unsmob_score ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
        }
-       | SCORE_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = unsmob_score ($1);
-               $$->protect ();
-               $$->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+       | embedded_scm_active {
+               Score *score;
+               if (unsmob_score ($1))
+                       score = new Score (*unsmob_score ($1));
+               else {
+                       score = new Score;
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("score expected"));
+               }
+               unsmob_score ($$)->origin ()->set_spot (@$);
+               $$ = score->unprotect ();
        }
        | score_body
        {
-               if (!ly_is_module ($1->get_header ()))
-                       $1->set_header (ly_make_module (false));
-               parser->lexer_->add_scope ($1->get_header ());
+                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;
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1046,12 +891,12 @@ 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 ();
                }
        }
        ;
@@ -1068,20 +913,21 @@ 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 ();
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1099,35 +945,26 @@ output_def_head_with_mode_switch:
 
 music_or_context_def:
        music_arg
-       {
-               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
-       }
-       | CONTEXT
-       {
-               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
-       } '{' context_def_spec_body '}'
-       {
-               $$ = $4;
-       }
+       | context_def_spec_block
        ;
 
 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 embedded_scm  {
+
        }
        | output_def_body
        {
@@ -1135,14 +972,15 @@ output_def_body:
                parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
        } music_or_context_def
        {
+               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
                if (unsmob_context_def ($3))
-                       assign_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->self_scm (), $3);
+                                   $1, $3);
                }
        }
        | output_def_body error {
@@ -1154,12 +992,12 @@ tempo_event:
        TEMPO steno_duration '=' tempo_range    {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("tempo", @$, SCM_EOL, $2, $4);
        }
-       | TEMPO scalar_closed steno_duration '=' tempo_range    {
+       | TEMPO scalar steno_duration '=' tempo_range   {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("tempo", @$, $2, $3, $5);
        }
        | TEMPO scalar {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("tempo", @$, $2);
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        ;
 
 /*
@@ -1195,15 +1033,40 @@ music:  music_arg
 
 music_embedded:
        music
-       | embedded_scm
        {
-               if (unsmob_music ($1)
-                   || scm_is_eq ($1, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
+               if (unsmob_music ($1)->is_mus_type ("post-event")) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("unexpected post-event"));
+                       $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
+               }
+       }
+       | music_embedded_backup
+       {
+               $$ = $1;
+       }
+       | music_embedded_backup BACKUP lyric_element_music
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+       }
+       ;
+
+music_embedded_backup:
+       embedded_scm
+       {
+               if (scm_is_eq ($1, SCM_UNSPECIFIED))
                        $$ = $1;
-               else
-               {
+               else if (Music *m = unsmob_music ($1)) {
+                       if (m->is_mus_type ("post-event")) {
+                               parser->parser_error
+                                       (@1, _ ("unexpected post-event"));
+                               $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
+                       } else
+                               $$ = $1;
+               } else if (parser->lexer_->is_lyric_state ()
+                          && Text_interface::is_markup ($1))
+                       MYBACKUP (LYRIC_ELEMENT, $1, @1);
+               else {
                        @$.warning (_ ("Ignoring non-music expression"));
-                       $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
+                       $$ = $1;
                }
        }
        ;
@@ -1211,12 +1074,11 @@ music_embedded:
 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 ($$))
+               {
+                        parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("music expected"));
+                       $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("void-music", @$);
                }
        }
        | composite_music %prec COMPOSITE
@@ -1225,7 +1087,6 @@ music_arg:
 music_assign:
        simple_music
        | composite_music %prec COMPOSITE
-       | lyric_element_music
        ;
 
 repeated_music:
@@ -1233,10 +1094,20 @@ repeated_music:
        {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repeat", @$, $2, $3, $4, SCM_EOL);
        }
+       | REPEAT_IDENTIFIER music
+       {
+               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repeat", @$, scm_car ($1), scm_cdr ($1),
+                                 $2, SCM_EOL);
+       }
        | REPEAT simple_string unsigned_number music ALTERNATIVE braced_music_list
        {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repeat", @$, $2, $3, $4, $6);
        }
+       | REPEAT_IDENTIFIER music ALTERNATIVE braced_music_list
+       {
+               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repeat", @$, scm_car ($1), scm_cdr ($1),
+                                 $2, $4);
+       }
        ;
 
 sequential_music:
@@ -1264,7 +1135,11 @@ simple_music:
        ;
 
 context_modification:
-        WITH { parser->lexer_->push_initial_state (); } '{' context_mod_list '}'
+        WITH
+       {
+               SCM nn = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pitchnames");
+               parser->lexer_->push_note_state (nn);
+       } '{' context_mod_list '}'
         {
                 parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
                 $$ = $4;
@@ -1277,8 +1152,12 @@ context_modification:
         {
                 $$ = $1;
         }
-       | WITH embedded_scm_closed
+       | WITH context_modification_arg
        {
+               if (unsmob_music ($2)) {
+                       SCM proc = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("context-mod-music-handler");
+                       $2 = scm_call_2 (proc, parser->self_scm (), $2);
+               }
                if (unsmob_context_mod ($2))
                        $$ = $2;
                else {
@@ -1288,6 +1167,11 @@ context_modification:
        }
         ;
 
+context_modification_arg:
+       embedded_scm_closed
+       | MUSIC_IDENTIFIER
+       ;
+
 optional_context_mod:
         /**/ {
             $$ = SCM_EOL;
@@ -1303,7 +1187,8 @@ context_mod_list:
             $$ = 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);
@@ -1342,43 +1227,72 @@ grouped_music_list:
        | sequential_music              { $$ = $1; }
        ;
 
-/* An argument list. If a function \foo expects scm scm pitch, then the lexer expands \foo into the token sequence:
- MUSIC_FUNCTION EXPECT_PITCH EXPECT_SCM EXPECT_SCM EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS
-and this rule returns the reversed list of arguments. */
-
-function_arglist_skip:
-       function_arglist_common
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_skip
-       {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       } %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_skip
-       {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       } %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip
-       {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       } %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       ;
-
+/* Function argument lists are arguably the most complex part in the
+ * parser.  They are pretty tricky to understand because of the way
+ * they are processed, and because of optional arguments that can be
+ * omitted.  When there are several optional arguments in a row,
+ * omitting one automatically omits all following arguments.  Optional
+ * arguments can only be omitted when either
+ *
+ * a) the omission is explicitly started with \default
+ * b) the omission is implicitly started by an argument not matching
+ *    its predicate, and there is a mandatory argument later that can
+ *    "catch" the argument that does not fit.
+ *
+ * When argument parsing starts, the lexer pushes EXPECT_SCM tokens
+ * (corresponding to mandatory arguments and having a predicate
+ * function as semantic value) or EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM (where
+ * the semantic value of the EXPECT_OPTIONAL token is the default to
+ * use when the optional argument is omitted, and EXPECT_SCM again has
+ * the argument predicate as semantic value) in reverse order to the
+ * parser, followed by EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS.  The argument list is then
+ * processed inside-out while actual tokens are consumed.
+ *
+ * This means that the argument list tokens determine the actions
+ * taken as they arrive.  The structure of the argument list is known
+ * to the parser and stored in its parse stack when the first argument
+ * is being parsed.  What the parser does not know is which predicates
+ * will match and whether or not \default will be appearing in the
+ * argument list, and where.
+ *
+ * Many of the basic nonterminals used for argument list scanning come
+ * in a "normal" and a "closed" flavor.  A closed expression is one
+ * that can be parsed without a lookahead token.  That makes it
+ * feasible for an optional argument that may need to be skipped:
+ * skipping can only be accomplished by pushing back the token into
+ * the lexer, and that only works when there is no lookahead token.
+ *
+ * Sequences of 0 or more optional arguments are scanned using either
+ * function_arglist_backup or function_arglist_nonbackup.  The first
+ * is used when optional arguments are followed by at least one
+ * mandatory argument: in that case optional arguments may be skipped
+ * by either a false predicate (in which case the expression will be
+ * pushed back as one or more tokens, preceded by a BACKUP token) or
+ * by using \default.
+ *
+ * If optional arguments are at the end of the argument list, they are
+ * instead scanned using function_arglist_nonbackup: here the only
+ * manner to enter into skipping of optional arguments is the use of
+ * \default.
+ *
+ * The argument list of a normal function call is parsed using
+ * function_arglist.  The part of an argument list before a mandatory
+ * argument is parsed using function_arglist_optional.
+ *
+ * The difference is that leading optional arguments are scanned using
+ * function_arglist_nonbackup and function_arglist_backup,
+ * respectively.
+ *
+ * Most other details are obvious in the rules themselves.
+ *
+ */
 
 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_closed FRACTION
-       {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed post_event_nofinger
+       EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup post_event_nofinger
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed '-' UNSIGNED
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup '-' UNSIGNED
        {
                SCM n = scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, n)))
@@ -1386,21 +1300,18 @@ function_arglist_nonbackup_common:
                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);
                }
                
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed '-' REAL
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup '-' REAL
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
                                       scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED),
                                       $3, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
                                       scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED),
@@ -1410,119 +1321,279 @@ function_arglist_nonbackup_common:
 
 function_arglist_closed_nonbackup:
        function_arglist_nonbackup_common
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       | function_arglist_closed_common
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup bare_number_closed
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed bare_number_closed
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                      try_string_variants ($2, $4),
+                                      $3, $2, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup STRING
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                      try_string_variants ($2, $4),
+                                      $3, $2, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup full_markup
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
        }
        ;
 
-function_arglist_nonbackup:
-       function_arglist_nonbackup_common
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist embedded_scm_arg
+symbol_list_arg:
+       SYMBOL_LIST
+       | SYMBOL_LIST '.' symbol_list_rev
        {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+               $$ = scm_append (scm_list_2 ($1, scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL)));
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed bare_number
+       ;
+
+symbol_list_rev:
+       symbol_list_part
+       | symbol_list_rev '.' symbol_list_part
        {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($3, $1));
        }
        ;
 
-function_arglist_keep:
-       function_arglist_common
-       | function_arglist_backup
+// 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 ($$);
+       }
        ;
 
-function_arglist_closed_keep:
-       function_arglist_closed_common
-       | function_arglist_backup
+
+symbol_list_element:
+       STRING
+       | embedded_scm_bare
        ;
 
-function_arglist_backup:
-       EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep embedded_scm_arg_closed
+
+function_arglist_nonbackup:
+       function_arglist_nonbackup_common
+       | function_arglist_common
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup embedded_scm_arg
        {
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
-               {
                        $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
-               } else {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (SCM_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
-               }
+               else
+                       $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4,
+                                              make_music_from_simple
+                                              (parser, @4, $4),
+                                              $3, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep post_event_nofinger
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup bare_number_common
        {
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
-               {
-                       $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
-               } else {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (EVENT_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
-               }
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, $4, $3, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_keep lyric_element
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE duration_length
        {
-               // 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);
-               }
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep UNSIGNED
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE bare_number_common
        {
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
-               {
-                       $$ = $3;
-                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, UNSIGNED, $4);
-               } else {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (UNSIGNED, $4, @4);
-               }
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep REAL
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
        {
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
-               {
-                       $$ = $3;
-                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REAL, $4);
-               } else {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (REAL, $4, @4);
-               }
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE lyric_element_music
        {
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
-               {
-                       $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
-               } else {
-                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (NUMBER_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse REPARSE symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       ;
+
+function_arglist_nonbackup_reparse:
+       EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup SCM_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               $$ = $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, STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup STRING
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($2, make_music_from_simple
+                          (parser, @4, $4))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup full_markup
+       {
+               $$ = $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, STRING, $4);
+               else
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, SCM_ARG, $4);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup UNSIGNED
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REAL, $4);
+               else {
+                       SCM d = make_duration ($4);
+                       if (SCM_UNBNDP (d) || scm_is_false (scm_call_1 ($2, d)))
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REAL, $4); // trigger error
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, d);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_nonbackup DURATION_IDENTIFIER {
+               $$ = $3;
+               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, $4);
+       }
+       ;
+
+
+// function_arglist_backup can't occur at the end of an argument
+// list.  It needs to be careful about avoiding lookahead only until
+// it has made a decision whether or not to accept the parsed entity.
+// At that point of time, music requiring lookahead to parse becomes
+// fine.
+function_arglist_backup:
+       function_arglist_common
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (SCM_ARG, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup REPEAT simple_string unsigned_number
+       {
+               $4 = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repeat", @4, $5, $6,
+                                 MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("Music", @4)->unprotect (),
+                                 SCM_EOL);
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       $$ = $3;
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REPEAT_IDENTIFIER, scm_cons ($5, $6));
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (REPEAT_IDENTIFIER, scm_cons ($5, $6), @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup chord_body
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       $$ = $3;
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, CHORD_BODY_IDENTIFIER, $4);
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (CHORD_BODY_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep FRACTION
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup post_event_nofinger
        {
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
                {
                        $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
                } else {
                        $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
-                       MYBACKUP (FRACTION, $4, @4);
+                       MYBACKUP (EVENT_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup full_markup
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
+               else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (LYRIC_ELEMENT, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup UNSIGNED
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REAL, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else {
+                       SCM d = make_duration ($4);
+                       if (SCM_UNBNDP (d) || scm_is_false (scm_call_1 ($2, d)))
+                       {
+                               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                               MYBACKUP (UNSIGNED, $4, @4);
+                       } else {
+                               MYREPARSE (@4, $2, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, d);
+                               $$ = $3;
+                       }
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep '-' UNSIGNED
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup REAL
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       $$ = $3;
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, REAL, $4);
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (REAL, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (NUMBER_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup '-' UNSIGNED
        {
                SCM n = scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, n))) {
@@ -1542,241 +1613,375 @@ function_arglist_backup:
                }
                
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep '-' REAL
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup '-' REAL
        {
                SCM n = scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, n))) {
                        MYREPARSE (@5, $2, REAL, n);
                        $$ = $3;
                } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
                        MYBACKUP (REAL, n, @5);
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_keep '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        {
                SCM n = scm_difference ($5, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                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);
                }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_keep pitch_also_in_chords
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup PITCH_IDENTIFIER
        {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
+               SCM m = make_music_from_simple (parser, @4, $4);
+               if (unsmob_music (m) && scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, m)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, PITCH_IDENTIFIER, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, PITCH_ARG, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (PITCH_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_closed_keep duration_length
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup NOTENAME_PITCH
        {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($4, $3);
+               SCM m = make_music_from_simple (parser, @4, $4);
+               if (unsmob_music (m) && scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, m)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, NOTENAME_PITCH, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, PITCH_ARG, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (NOTENAME_PITCH, $4, @4);
+               }
        }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup BACKUP
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup TONICNAME_PITCH
        {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-               MYBACKUP(0, SCM_UNDEFINED, @3);
+               SCM m = make_music_from_simple (parser, @4, $4);
+               if (unsmob_music (m) && scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, m)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, TONICNAME_PITCH, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, PITCH_ARG, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (TONICNAME_PITCH, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup DURATION_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $4)))
+               {
+                       MYREPARSE (@4, $2, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, $4);
+                       $$ = $3;
+               } else {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (DURATION_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
        }
-       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE embedded_scm_arg_closed
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup 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 {
+                       $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+                       MYBACKUP (SCM_IDENTIFIER, $4, @4);
+               }
+       }
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_backup STRING
+       {
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($2, $4);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res)) {
+                               $$ = $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);
+               }
+       }
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE music_assign
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($2, $3)))
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($3, $1);
+               else
+                       $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                              make_music_from_simple
+                                              (parser, @3, $3),
+                                              $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE pitch_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }               
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE bare_number_common
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE bare_number
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE duration_length
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $1, $2);
        }
+       | function_arglist_backup REPARSE symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
+       }
        ;
 
 function_arglist:
-       function_arglist_common
-       | function_arglist_nonbackup
+       function_arglist_nonbackup
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip_nonbackup DEFAULT
+       {
+               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@4, $1), $3);
+       }
+       ;
+
+function_arglist_skip_nonbackup:
+       function_arglist_nonbackup
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip_nonbackup
+       {
+               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
+       }
        ;
 
 function_arglist_common:
-       function_arglist_bare
+       EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS {
+               $$ = SCM_EOL;
+       }
        | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional embedded_scm_arg
+       {
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $3)))
+                       $$ = scm_cons ($3, $2);
+               else
+                       $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                              make_music_from_simple
+                                              (parser, @3, $3),
+                                              $2, $1);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional bare_number_common
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional bare_number
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional post_event_nofinger
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional FRACTION
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @4, n, $2, $1);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional post_event_nofinger
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE lyric_element_music
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE bare_number_common
+       {
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
+       }
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE duration_length
+       {
+               $$ = 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
+       {
+               $$ = $2;
+               SCM res = try_string_variants ($1, $3);
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP (res))
+                       if (scm_is_pair (res))
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SYMBOL_LIST, res);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, res);
+               else if (scm_is_true
+                        (scm_call_1
+                         ($1, make_music_from_simple (parser, @3, $3))))
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRIC_ELEMENT, $3);
+               else
+                       // This is going to flag a syntax error, we
+                       // know the predicate to be false.
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, SCM_ARG, $3);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional STRING
        {
-               // We check how the predicate thinks about a lyrics
-               // event or about a markup.  If it accepts neither, we
-               // backup the original token.  Otherwise we commit to
-               // taking the token.  Depending on what the predicate
-               // is willing to accept, we interpret as a string, as
-               // a lyric event, or ambiguously (meaning that if
-               // something looking like a duration or post event
-               // follows, we take the event, otherwise the string).
-               SCM lyric_event = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @3, $3,
-                                              parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy ());
+               $$ = $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 full_markup
+       {
+               $$ = $2;
                if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $3)))
-                       if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, lyric_event)))
-                       {
-                               $$ = $2;
-                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, LYRICS_STRING, $3);
-                       } else {
-                               $$ = scm_cons ($3, $2);
-                       }
-               else if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, lyric_event)))
-               {
-                       $$ = $2;
+                       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 {
+               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);
+       }
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional UNSIGNED
+       {
+               $$ = $2;
+               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, $3)))
+                       MYREPARSE (@3, $1, REAL, $3);
+               else {
+                       SCM d = make_duration ($3);
+                       if (SCM_UNBNDP (d) || scm_is_false (scm_call_1 ($1, d)))
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, REAL, $3);
+                       else
+                               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, d);
                }
        }
-       | function_arglist_common_lyric REPARSE lyric_element_arg
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional DURATION_IDENTIFIER
        {
-               // This should never be false
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $1, $2);
+               $$ = $2;
+               MYREPARSE (@3, $1, DURATION_IDENTIFIER, $3);
        }
-       ;
-
-function_arglist_common_minus:
-       EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' UNSIGNED
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional '-' UNSIGNED
        {
+               $$ = $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);
                }
                
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' REAL
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional '-' REAL
        {
                $$ = $2;
                SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
                MYREPARSE (@4, $1, REAL, n);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
-       {
-               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
-               $$ = 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_closed_nonbackup
+       function_arglist_closed_nonbackup
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip_nonbackup DEFAULT
+       {
+               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@4, $1), $3);
+       }
        ;
 
 function_arglist_closed_common:
-       function_arglist_bare
+       EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS {
+               $$ = SCM_EOL;
+       }
        | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional embedded_scm_arg_closed
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional bare_number
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional bare_number_common_closed
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' UNSIGNED
-       {
-               SCM n = scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED);
-               if (scm_is_true (scm_call_1 ($1, n))) {
-                       $$ = 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
-                               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, n, $2, $1);
-               }
-               
-       }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' REAL
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
                                       scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED),
                                       $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional '-' NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional post_event_nofinger
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      scm_difference ($4, SCM_UNDEFINED),
-                                      $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $2, $1);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional post_event_nofinger
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE SCM_ARG
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_closed_optional FRACTION
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE bare_number_common_closed
        {
                $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+                                      $3, $1, $2);
        }
-       | EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_optional lyric_element
+       | function_arglist_common_reparse REPARSE symbol_list_arg
        {
-               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3,
-                                      $3, $2, $1);
+               $$ = check_scheme_arg (parser, @3, $3, $1, $2);
        }
        ;
 
 function_arglist_optional:
-       function_arglist_keep %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       | function_arglist_backup BACKUP
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_optional
+       function_arglist_backup
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip_backup DEFAULT
        {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_optional
-       {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
+               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@4, $1), $3);
        }
+       | function_arglist_skip_backup BACKUP
        ;
 
-function_arglist_closed_optional:
-       function_arglist_closed_keep %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       | function_arglist_backup BACKUP
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_closed_optional
+function_arglist_skip_backup:
+       function_arglist_backup
+       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip_backup
        {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_closed_optional
-       {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
+               $$ = scm_cons (loc_on_music (@3, $1), $3);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1795,27 +2000,6 @@ scm_function_call_closed:
        SCM_FUNCTION function_arglist_closed {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("music-function", @$,
                                         $1, $2);
-       } %prec FUNCTION_ARGLIST
-       ;
-
-function_arglist_bare:
-       EXPECT_NO_MORE_ARGS {
-               $$ = SCM_EOL;
-       }
-       | EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_optional pitch_also_in_chords {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($3, $2);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_closed_optional duration_length {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($3, $2);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_PITCH function_arglist_skip DEFAULT {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_DURATION function_arglist_skip DEFAULT {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
-       }
-       | EXPECT_OPTIONAL EXPECT_SCM function_arglist_skip DEFAULT {
-               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -1845,14 +2029,14 @@ complex_music:
        ;
 
 complex_music_prefix:
-       CONTEXT simple_string optional_id optional_context_mod {
+       CONTEXT symbol optional_id optional_context_mod {
                 Context_mod *ctxmod = unsmob_context_mod ($4);
                 SCM mods = SCM_EOL;
                 if (ctxmod)
                         mods = ctxmod->get_mods ();
                $$ = START_MAKE_SYNTAX ("context-specification", $2, $3, mods, SCM_BOOL_F);
        }
-       | NEWCONTEXT simple_string optional_id optional_context_mod {
+       | NEWCONTEXT symbol optional_id optional_context_mod {
                 Context_mod *ctxmod = unsmob_context_mod ($4);
                 SCM mods = SCM_EOL;
                 if (ctxmod)
@@ -1976,47 +2160,98 @@ re_rhythmed_music:
        ;
 
 context_change:
-       CHANGE STRING '=' STRING  {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("context-change", @$, scm_string_to_symbol ($2), $4);
+       CHANGE symbol '=' simple_string  {
+               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("context-change", @$, $2, $4);
        }
        ;
 
 
-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:
-       STRING '=' scalar {
-               $$ = scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("assign"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($1), $3);
+       symbol '=' scalar {
+               $$ = scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("assign"), $1, $3);
+       }
+       | UNSET symbol {
+               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_symbol2scm ("unset"), $2);
        }
-       | UNSET simple_string {
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_symbol2scm ("unset"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($2));
+       | 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)));
+               }
        }
-       | OVERRIDE simple_string property_path '=' scalar {
-               $$ = scm_append (scm_list_2 (scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("push"),
-                                                       scm_string_to_symbol ($2), $5),
-                                            $3));
+       | REVERT revert_arg {
+               $$ = scm_cons (ly_symbol2scm ("pop"), $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_backup BACKUP symbol_list_arg
+       {
+               $$ = $3;
        }
-       | REVERT simple_string embedded_scm {
-               $$ = scm_list_3 (ly_symbol2scm ("pop"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($2), $3);
+       ;
+
+revert_arg_backup:
+       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_part delivers results in reverse
+revert_arg_part:
+       symbol_list_part
+       | revert_arg_backup BACKUP SCM_ARG '.' symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($5, $3));
+       }
+       | revert_arg_backup BACKUP SCM_ARG symbol_list_part
+       {
+               $$ = scm_append_x (scm_list_2 ($4, $3));
+       }               
+       ;
+
 context_def_mod:
        CONSISTS { $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("consists"); }
        | REMOVE { $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("remove"); }
@@ -2052,52 +2287,141 @@ context_mod:
        }
        ;
 
+// 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;
+               }
+               $$ = l;
+       }
+       ;
+
+// If defined, at least three members
+grob_prop_path:
+       grob_prop_spec
+       {
+               if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1) && scm_is_null (scm_cddr ($1)))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bad grob property path"));
+                       $$ = 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"));
+                               $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
+                       }
+               }
+
+       }
+       ;
+
+// Exactly two elements or undefined
 context_prop_spec:
-       simple_string {
-               if (!is_regular_identifier ($1))
-               {
-                       @$.error (_("Grob name should be alphanumeric"));
+       symbol_list_rev
+       {
+               SCM l = scm_reverse_x ($1, SCM_EOL);
+               switch (scm_ilength (l)) {
+               case 1:
+                       l = scm_cons (ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom"), l);
+               case 2:
+                       break;
+               default:
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("bad context property path"));
+                       l = SCM_UNDEFINED;
                }
-
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_symbol2scm ("Bottom"),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($1));
-       }
-       | simple_string '.' simple_string {
-               $$ = scm_list_2 (scm_string_to_symbol ($1),
-                       scm_string_to_symbol ($3));
+               $$ = 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));
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2105,76 +2429,104 @@ string:
        STRING {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | string '+' string {
-               $$ = scm_string_append (scm_list_2 ($1, $3));
-       }
+       | full_markup
        ;
 
 simple_string: STRING {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | LYRICS_STRING {
-               $$ = $1;
+       | embedded_scm_bare
+       {
+               if (scm_is_string ($1)) {
+                       $$ = $1;
+               } else {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, (_ ("simple string expected")));
+                       $$ = scm_string (SCM_EOL);
+               }
        }
-       | STRING_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
+       ;
+
+symbol:
+       STRING {
+               $$ = scm_string_to_symbol ($1);
+       }
+       | embedded_scm_bare
+       {
+               // This is a bit of overkill but makes the same
+               // routine responsible for all symbol interpretations.
+               $$ = try_string_variants (ly_lily_module_constant ("symbol?"),
+                                         $1);
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($$))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, (_ ("symbol expected")));
+                       // Generate a unique symbol in case it is used
+                       // for an assignment or similar
+                       $$ = scm_make_symbol (ly_string2scm ("undefined"));
+               }
        }
        ;
 
 scalar:
        embedded_scm_arg
+       | SCM_IDENTIFIER
        | bare_number
-       | FRACTION
-       | lyric_element
-       ;
-
-scalar_closed:
-       embedded_scm_arg_closed
-       | bare_number
-       | FRACTION
-       | lyric_element
+       // The following is a rather defensive variant of admitting
+       // negative numbers: the grammar would permit number_factor or
+       // even number_expression.  However, function arguments allow
+       // only this simple kind of negative number, so to have things
+       // like \tweak and \override behave reasonably similar, it
+       // makes sense to rule out things like -- which are rather an
+       // accent in function argument contexts.
+       | '-' bare_number
+       {
+               $$ = scm_difference ($2, SCM_UNDEFINED);
+       }
+       | STRING
+       | full_markup
        ;
 
-
 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 ());
-                               $$ = n->unprotect ();
+                       $$ = 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"));
+                               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("void-music", @1);
                        }
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("articulations",
-                                                        scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
                }
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        | simple_chord_elements post_events     {
-               SCM elts = ly_append2 ($1, scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
-
-               Input i;
-               /* why is this giving wrong start location? -ns
-                * i = @$; */
-               i.set_location (@1, @2);
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("event-chord", i, elts);
-       }
+               if (scm_is_pair ($2)) {
+                       if (unsmob_pitch ($1))
+                               $1 = make_chord_elements (@1,
+                                                         $1,
+                                                         parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy (),
+                                                         SCM_EOL);
+
+                       SCM elts = ly_append2 ($1, scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
+
+                       $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("event-chord", @1, elts);
+               } else if (!unsmob_pitch ($1))
+                       $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("event-chord", @1, $1);
+               // A mere pitch drops through.
+       } %prec ':'
        | CHORD_REPETITION optional_notemode_duration post_events {
                Input i;
                i.set_location (@1, @3);
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("repetition-chord", i,
                                  $2, scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL));
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        | MULTI_MEASURE_REST optional_notemode_duration post_events {
                Input i;
                i.set_location (@1, @3);
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("multi-measure-rest", i, $2,
                                  scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL));
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        | command_element
        | note_chord_element
        ;
@@ -2195,7 +2547,7 @@ note_chord_element:
                m-> set_property ("elements", es);
                m->set_spot (@$);
                $$ = m->self_scm ();
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        ;
 
 chord_body:
@@ -2203,6 +2555,7 @@ chord_body:
        {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("event-chord", @$, scm_reverse_x ($2, SCM_EOL));
        }
+       | CHORD_BODY_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
 chord_body_elements:
@@ -2216,16 +2569,16 @@ 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)) {
@@ -2294,40 +2647,10 @@ command_element:
        command_event {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | E_BRACKET_OPEN {
-               Music *m = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("LigatureEvent", @$);
-               m->set_property ("span-direction", scm_from_int (START));
-               $$ = m->unprotect();
-       }
-       | E_BRACKET_CLOSE {
-               Music *m = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("LigatureEvent", @$);
-               m->set_property ("span-direction", scm_from_int (STOP));
-               $$ = m->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | E_BACKSLASH {
-               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("voice-separator", @$);
-       }
-       | '|'      {
-               SCM pipe = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier ("pipeSymbol");
-
-               Music *m = unsmob_music (pipe);
-               if (m)
-               {
-                       m = m->clone ();
-                       m->set_spot (@$);
-                       $$ = m->unprotect ();
-               }
-               else
-                       $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("bar-check", @$);
-
-       }
        ;
 
 command_event:
-       E_TILDE {
-               $$ = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("PesOrFlexaEvent", @$)->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | tempo_event {
+       tempo_event {
                $$ = $1;
        }
        ;
@@ -2338,8 +2661,22 @@ post_events:
                $$ = SCM_EOL;
        }
        | post_events post_event {
-               unsmob_music ($2)->set_spot (@2);
-               $$ = scm_cons ($2, $$);
+               $$ = $1;
+               if (Music *m = unsmob_music ($2))
+               {
+                       if (m->is_mus_type ("post-event-wrapper"))
+                       {
+                               for (SCM p = m->get_property ("elements");
+                                    scm_is_pair (p);
+                                    p = scm_cdr (p))
+                               {
+                                       $$ = scm_cons (scm_car (p), $$);
+                               }
+                       } else {
+                               m->set_spot (@2);
+                               $$ = scm_cons ($2, $$);
+                       }
+               }
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2349,9 +2686,12 @@ post_event_nofinger:
        }
        | script_dir music_function_call_closed {
                $$ = $2;
-               if ($1)
+               if (!unsmob_music ($2)->is_mus_type ("post-event")) {
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _ ("post-event expected"));
+                       $$ = SCM_UNSPECIFIED;
+               } else if (!SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
                {
-                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("direction", scm_from_int ($1));
+                       unsmob_music ($$)->set_property ("direction", $1);
                }
        }
        | HYPHEN {
@@ -2365,18 +2705,18 @@ 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);
                }
                $$ = $2;
        }
@@ -2402,66 +2742,19 @@ post_event:
 string_number_event:
        E_UNSIGNED {
                Music *s = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("StringNumberEvent", @$);
-               s->set_property ("string-number", scm_from_int ($1));
+               s->set_property ("string-number", $1);
                $$ = s->unprotect ();
        }
        ;
 
-direction_less_char:
-       '['  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("bracketOpenSymbol");
-       }
-       | ']'  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("bracketCloseSymbol");
-       }
-       | '~'  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("tildeSymbol");
-       }
-       | '('  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("parenthesisOpenSymbol");
-       }
-       | ')'  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("parenthesisCloseSymbol");
-       }
-       | E_EXCLAMATION  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("escapedExclamationSymbol");
-       }
-       | E_OPEN  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("escapedParenthesisOpenSymbol");
-       }
-       | E_CLOSE  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("escapedParenthesisCloseSymbol");
-       }
-       | E_ANGLE_CLOSE  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("escapedBiggerSymbol");
-       }
-       | E_ANGLE_OPEN  {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("escapedSmallerSymbol");
-       }
-       ;
-
 direction_less_event:
-       direction_less_char {
-               SCM predefd = parser->lexer_->lookup_identifier_symbol ($1);
-               Music *m = 0;
-               if (unsmob_music (predefd))
-               {
-                       m = unsmob_music (predefd)->clone ();
-                       m->set_spot (@$);
-               }
-               else
-               {
-                       m = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("Music", @$);
-               }
-               $$ = m->unprotect ();
-       }
-       | string_number_event
+       string_number_event
        | EVENT_IDENTIFIER      {
                $$ = $1;
        }
        | tremolo_type  {
                Music *a = MY_MAKE_MUSIC ("TremoloEvent", @$);
-               a->set_property ("tremolo-type", scm_from_int ($1));
+               a->set_property ("tremolo-type", $1);
                $$ = a->unprotect ();
         }
        | event_function_event  
@@ -2483,42 +2776,44 @@ 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 ();
+                }
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2527,32 +2822,37 @@ 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 {
-               $$ = $1;
+       steno_pitch
+       | PITCH_IDENTIFIER quotes {
+                if (!scm_is_eq (SCM_INUM0, $2))
+                {
+                        Pitch p = *unsmob_pitch ($1);
+                        p = p.transposed (Pitch (scm_to_int ($2),0,0));
+                        $$ = p.smobbed_copy ();
+                }
        }
-       | PITCH_IDENTIFIER
        ;
 
-pitch_also_in_chords:
-       pitch
-       | steno_tonic_pitch
+pitch_arg:
+       PITCH_ARG 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 ();
+                }
+       }
        ;
 
 gen_text_def:
@@ -2561,12 +2861,24 @@ 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 ();
        }
+       | 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:
@@ -2587,8 +2899,8 @@ script_abbreviation:
        | '-'           {
                $$ = scm_from_locale_string ("Dash");
        }
-       | '|'           {
-               $$ = scm_from_locale_string ("Bar");
+       | '!'           {
+               $$ = scm_from_locale_string ("Bang");
        }
        | ANGLE_CLOSE   {
                $$ = scm_from_locale_string ("Larger");
@@ -2602,9 +2914,9 @@ script_abbreviation:
        ;
 
 script_dir:
-       '_'     { $$ = DOWN; }
-       | '^'   { $$ = UP; }
-       | '-'   { $$ = CENTER; }
+       '_'     { $$ = scm_from_int (DOWN); }
+       | '^'   { $$ = scm_from_int (UP); }
+       | '-'   { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
        ;
 
 duration_length:
@@ -2616,7 +2928,7 @@ duration_length:
 maybe_notemode_duration:
        {
                $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED;
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        | multiplied_duration   {
                $$ = $1;
                parser->default_duration_ = *unsmob_duration ($$);
@@ -2633,21 +2945,21 @@ optional_notemode_duration:
        ;
 
 steno_duration:
-       bare_unsigned dots              {
-               int len = 0;
-               if (!is_duration ($1))
-                       parser->parser_error (@1, _f ("not a duration: %d", $1));
-               else
-                       len = intlog2 ($1);
-
-               $$ = Duration (len, $2).smobbed_copy ();
+       UNSIGNED dots           {
+               $$ = make_duration ($1, scm_to_int ($2));
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($$))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("not a duration"));
+                       $$ = Duration ().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 ();
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2655,8 +2967,8 @@ 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)));
@@ -2667,20 +2979,20 @@ multiplied_duration:
 
 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 {
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP (make_duration ($2)))
+                       parser->parser_error (@2, _ ("not a duration"));
                $$ = $2;
        }
        ;
@@ -2689,6 +3001,18 @@ bass_number:
        UNSIGNED { $$ = $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:
@@ -2730,38 +3054,23 @@ bass_figure:
        }
        | bass_figure figured_bass_modification  {
                Music *m = unsmob_music ($1);
-               if ($2 == ly_symbol2scm ("plus"))
-                       {
-                       m->set_property ("augmented", SCM_BOOL_T);
-                       }
-               else if ($2 == ly_symbol2scm ("slash"))
-                       {
-                       m->set_property ("diminished", SCM_BOOL_T);
-                       }
-               else if ($2 == ly_symbol2scm ("exclamation"))
-                       {
-                       m->set_property ("no-continuation", SCM_BOOL_T);
-                       }
-               else if ($2 == ly_symbol2scm ("backslash"))
-                       {
-                       m->set_property ("augmented-slash", SCM_BOOL_T);
-                       }
+               m->set_property ($2, SCM_BOOL_T);
        }
        ;
 
 
 figured_bass_modification:
        E_PLUS          {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("plus");
+               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("augmented");
        }
        | E_EXCLAMATION {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("exclamation");
+               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("no-continuation");
        }
        | '/'           {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("slash");
+               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("diminished");
        }
        | E_BACKSLASH {
-               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("backslash");
+               $$ = ly_symbol2scm ("augmented-slash");
        }
        ;
 
@@ -2792,18 +3101,22 @@ 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", @$);
@@ -2821,9 +3134,9 @@ 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 ();
@@ -2851,6 +3164,7 @@ simple_element:
        }
        ;
 
+// Can return a single pitch rather than a list.
 simple_chord_elements:
        new_chord {
                 if (!parser->lexer_->is_chord_state ())
@@ -2867,54 +3181,40 @@ simple_chord_elements:
        ;
 
 lyric_element:
-       lyric_markup {
+       full_markup {
+               if (!parser->lexer_->is_lyric_state ())
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("markup outside of text script or \\lyricmode"));
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | LYRICS_STRING {
+       | STRING {
+               if (!parser->lexer_->is_lyric_state ())
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _ ("unrecognized string, not in text script or \\lyricmode"));
                $$ = $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 {
                $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("lyric-event", @$, $1, $2);
                if (scm_is_pair ($3))
                        unsmob_music ($$)->set_property
                                ("articulations", scm_reverse_x ($3, SCM_EOL));
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        ;
 
+// Can return a single pitch rather than a list.
 new_chord:
-       steno_tonic_pitch optional_notemode_duration   {
-               $$ = make_chord_elements (@$, $1, $2, SCM_EOL);
+       steno_tonic_pitch maybe_notemode_duration   {
+               if (SCM_UNBNDP ($2))
+                       $$ = $1;
+               else
+                       $$ = make_chord_elements (@$, $1, $2, SCM_EOL);
        }
        | steno_tonic_pitch optional_notemode_duration chord_separator chord_items {
                SCM its = scm_reverse_x ($4, SCM_EOL);
                $$ = make_chord_elements (@$, $1, $2, scm_cons ($3, its));
-       }
+       } %prec ':'
        ;
 
 chord_items:
@@ -2961,23 +3261,23 @@ 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 {
-               $$ = scm_from_int ($1);
-       }
-       | bare_unsigned '~' bare_unsigned {
-               $$ = scm_cons (scm_from_int ($1), scm_from_int ($3));
+       unsigned_number {
+               $$ = $1;
+       } %prec ':'
+       | unsigned_number '-' unsigned_number {
+               $$ = scm_cons ($1, $3);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -3016,65 +3316,78 @@ number_factor:
        | bare_number
        ;
 
+bare_number_common:
+       bare_number_common_closed
+       | REAL NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               $$ = scm_product ($1, $2);
+       }
+       ;
+
+bare_number_common_closed:
+       REAL
+       | NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       ;
 
 bare_number:
-       bare_number_closed
+       bare_number_common
+       | UNSIGNED
        | UNSIGNED NUMBER_IDENTIFIER    {
                $$ = scm_product ($1, $2);
        }
-       | REAL NUMBER_IDENTIFIER        {
-               $$ = scm_product ($1, $2);
-       }
        ;
 
 bare_number_closed:
        UNSIGNED
-       | REAL
-       | NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
-       ;
-
-bare_unsigned:
-       UNSIGNED {
-               $$ = scm_to_int ($1);
-       }
+       | bare_number_common_closed
        ;
 
 unsigned_number:
        UNSIGNED
        | NUMBER_IDENTIFIER
+       {
+               if (!scm_is_integer ($1)
+                   || scm_is_true (scm_negative_p ($1)))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("not an unsigned integer"));
+                       $$ = SCM_INUM0;
+               }
+       }
+       | embedded_scm
+       {
+               if (!scm_is_integer ($1)
+                   || scm_is_true (scm_negative_p ($1)))
+               {
+                       parser->parser_error (@1, _("not an unsigned integer"));
+                       $$ = SCM_INUM0;
+               }
+       }
        ;
 
 exclamations:
-               { $$ = 0; }
-       | exclamations '!'      { $$ ++; }
+               { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
+       | exclamations '!'
+        {
+                if (SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
+                        $$ = SCM_BOOL_T;
+                else
+                        $$ = scm_not ($1);
+        }
        ;
 
 questions:
-               { $$ = 0; }
-       | questions '?' { $$ ++; }
-       ;
-
-/*
-This should be done more dynamically if possible.
-*/
-
-lyric_markup:
-       LYRIC_MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | LYRIC_MARKUP
-               { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
-       markup_top {
-               $$ = $3;
-               parser->lexer_->pop_state ();
-       }
+       { $$ = SCM_UNDEFINED; }
+       | questions '?'
+        {
+                if (SCM_UNBNDP ($1))
+                        $$ = SCM_BOOL_T;
+                else
+                        $$ = scm_not ($1);
+        }
        ;
 
 full_markup_list:
-       MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | MARKUPLIST
+       MARKUPLIST
                { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
        markup_list {
                $$ = $3;
@@ -3083,10 +3396,7 @@ full_markup_list:
        ;
 
 full_markup:
-       MARKUP_IDENTIFIER {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | MARKUP
+       MARKUP
                { parser->lexer_->push_markup_state (); }
        markup_top {
                $$ = $3;
@@ -3098,8 +3408,10 @@ markup_top:
        markup_list {
                $$ = scm_list_2 (ly_lily_module_constant ("line-markup"),  $1);
        }
-       | markup_head_1_list simple_markup      {
-               $$ = scm_car (scm_call_2 (ly_lily_module_constant ("map-markup-command-list"), $1, scm_list_1 ($2)));
+       | markup_head_1_list simple_markup
+       {
+               $$ = scm_car (MAKE_SYNTAX ("composed-markup-list",
+                                          @2, $1, scm_list_1 ($2)));
        }
        | simple_markup {
                $$ = $1;
@@ -3122,13 +3434,14 @@ markup_scm:
                        
 
 markup_list:
-       MARKUPLIST_IDENTIFIER {
+       markup_composed_list {
                $$ = $1;
        }
-       | markup_composed_list {
-               $$ = $1;
-       }
-       | markup_braced_list {
+       | markup_uncomposed_list
+       ;
+
+markup_uncomposed_list:
+       markup_braced_list {
                $$ = $1;
        }
        | markup_command_list {
@@ -3141,9 +3454,9 @@ markup_list:
        ;
 
 markup_composed_list:
-       markup_head_1_list markup_braced_list {
-               $$ = scm_call_2 (ly_lily_module_constant ("map-markup-command-list"), $1, $2);
-
+       markup_head_1_list markup_uncomposed_list {
+               $$ = MAKE_SYNTAX ("composed-markup-list",
+                                 @2, $1, $2);
        }
        ;
 
@@ -3207,22 +3520,11 @@ 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 (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 {
@@ -3235,9 +3537,10 @@ simple_markup:
        ;
 
 markup:
-       markup_head_1_list simple_markup        {
-               SCM mapper = ly_lily_module_constant ("map-markup-command-list");
-               $$ = scm_car (scm_call_2 (mapper, $1, scm_list_1 ($2)));
+       markup_head_1_list simple_markup
+       {
+               $$ = scm_car (MAKE_SYNTAX ("composed-markup-list",
+                                          @2, $1, scm_list_1 ($2)));
        }
        | simple_markup {
                $$ = $1;
@@ -3252,10 +3555,12 @@ 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;
 }
 
 
@@ -3271,10 +3576,7 @@ 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 ();
@@ -3294,18 +3596,9 @@ 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 ();
-               unsmob_music (*destination)->
-                       set_property ("origin", make_input (last_input_));
-
                bool is_event = mus->is_mus_type ("post-event");
                mus->unprotect ();
                return is_event ? EVENT_IDENTIFIER : MUSIC_IDENTIFIER;
@@ -3322,14 +3615,6 @@ 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;
@@ -3351,14 +3636,34 @@ 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;
 }
@@ -3374,23 +3679,106 @@ 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_SYNTAX
+                               ("event-chord",
+                                loc,
+                                make_chord_elements (loc, simple,
+                                                     parser->default_duration_.smobbed_copy (),
+                                                     SCM_EOL));
+       }
+       return simple;
 }
 
 Music *
@@ -3407,23 +3795,21 @@ make_simple_markup (SCM a)
        return a;
 }
 
-bool
-is_duration (int t)
-{
-  return t && t == 1 << intlog2 (t);
-}
-
-void
-set_music_properties (Music *p, SCM a)
+SCM
+make_duration (SCM d, int dots)
 {
-  for (SCM k = a; scm_is_pair (k); k = scm_cdr (k))
-       p->set_property (scm_caar (k), scm_cdar (k));
+       int t = scm_to_int (d);
+       if (t > 0 && (t & (t-1)) == 0)
+               return Duration (intlog2 (t), dots).smobbed_copy ();
+       else
+               return SCM_UNDEFINED;
 }
 
-
 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;