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The repetition of the same grammatical structure, e.g., part of speech
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In progress . . . |
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the imperative sentence structure
How many times is the imperative structure used? Why is the imperative used? What does the speaker of the song want us, the listeners, to do? |
(//) Parallel (grammatical) structure
How often did or does or can something happen?
Reduction of three parallel phrases* into words
(A phrase is a group of words that go together.)
How often did something happen, does something happen, or can something happen?
How often did or does or can something happen?
Note the extra use of the conjunction "or" to create rhythm since the verbs are each one stressed syllable.
This should create some pleasure in saying and/or hearing the sentence out loud, for it allows for iambic pentameter, what some have argued is the "natural" or "usual" meter in which English prefers to be spoken.
"Or" is a function word. In rare cases, a function word might be stressed/emphasized, but usually function words are not stressed, and even get reduced to /schwa (ə)/. [Scroll down to read more about "Schwa (ə)".]
The addition of an extra "or" also slows down the sentence without taking away any of the bounce in the words, but actually adds some bounce into the words.
Alternative
[This is actually one of the two standard ways to list 3 or more items using the conjunction "and" or "or". This one (This way) uses "the series comma" (*)]:
How often did, does,(*) or can something happen?
If you say this sentence out loud, you may notice that it is much faster, and therefore potentially more difficult to hear and process.
If we think about our audience’s/listeners’/viewers’ perspectives, “easier to hear and process” is probably preferred by most people.