16 CARRIAGES – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé

Lyrics & Translation

"16 CARRIAGES" by Beyoncé offers a profound and intimate look into the superstar's life and career, delving into themes of sacrifice, perseverance, and identity. By listening to its deeply personal lyrics, you can explore expressions of vulnerability and resilience, as Beyoncé uses rich storytelling to reflect on her journey from a young age to global icon. This song is special for its raw honesty and its blend of country and soulful elements, providing a unique gateway into understanding complex emotional narratives in English.

[English]

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my dreams away

To the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long back road all the tears I fight

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my dreams away

To the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long black road all the tears I fight

At 15 the innocence was gone astray

I had to leave my home at an early age

I saw mama praying I saw daddy grind

All my tender problems had to leave behind

Itʼs been umpteen summers and Iʼm not in my bed

On the back of the bus in a bunk with the band

Going so hard gotta choose myself

Underpaid an overwhelmed

I might cook clean but still wonʼt fold

Still working all my life you know

Only God knows, only God knows, only God knows

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my fears away

Into the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long back road all the tears I fight

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my fears away

Into the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long back road all the tears I fight

16 dollars working all day ainʼt got time to waste

I got art to make I got love to create

On this holy night

They won’t dim my light

All these years I fight

It’s been 38 summers and I’m not in my bed

In the back on the bus, in the bunk with the bed

Going so hard, now I miss my kids

Overworked and overwhelmed

I might cook, clean but still won’t fold

Still working on my life you know

Only God knows, only God knows, only God knows

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my fears away

Into the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long back road all the tears I fight

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my fears away

Into the summer sunset on a holy night

On a long back road all these tears I fight

At 15 the innocence was gone astray

Had to take care of home at an early age

I saw mama crying, I saw daddy lying

Had to sacrifice and leave my fears behind

For legacy, if it’s the last thing I do

You’ll remember me, cause we got something to prove

In your memory

On the highway to truth

Still see our faces when you close your eyes

16 carriages driving away

While I watch them ride with my dreams away

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
carriages /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/ B2	noun - vehicles with wheels pulled by horses
dreams /driːmz/ A2	noun - aspirations or goals
summer /ˈsʌmər/ A1	noun - the warmest season of the year
sunset /ˈsʌnset/ A2	noun - the time when the sun goes down
holy /ˈhoʊli/ B1	adjective - sacred or religious
tears /tɪərz/ A2	noun - drops of liquid from the eyes
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - to struggle or contend against noun - a struggle or battle
innocence /ˈɪnəsəns/ B2	noun - the state of being free from guilt or wrongdoing
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - place where one lives
praying /ˈpreɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - to offer devout petition to (God or an object of worship)
daddy /ˈdædi/ A1	noun - father
problems /ˈprɒbləmz/ A2	noun - difficulties or challenges
bed /bed/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture for sleeping or resting on
band /bænd/ A2	noun - a group of musicians
fears /fɪərz/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger, pain, or threat
dollars /ˈdɑːlər/ A1	noun - units of currency
art /ɑːrt/ A1	noun - the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection
memory /ˈmeməri/ B1	noun - something remembered from the past

Key Grammar Structures

• 16 carriages driving away While I watch them ride with my dreams away

  ➔ Present Participle (driving), Subordinate Clause (While I watch...)

  ➔ The phrase "driving away" uses the present participle to describe the action of the carriages. The "while" clause indicates simultaneous actions.

• All my tender problems had to leave behind

  ➔ Modal verb (had to), Phrasal verb (leave behind)

  ➔ "Had to" expresses obligation or necessity in the past. "Leave behind" is a phrasal verb meaning to abandon or forget.

• Itʼs been umpteen summers and Iʼm not in my bed

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous (It's been), Negative Statement

  ➔ "It's been" (it has been) uses the present perfect continuous to emphasize the duration of time. The negative statement clarifies that the singer is not in her bed.

• Going so hard gotta choose myself

  ➔ Ellipsis (gotta), Imperative (choose)

  ➔ "Gotta" is a colloquial shortening of "got to," demonstrating ellipsis. "Choose" is used in the imperative mood, directly instructing an action.

• I might cook clean but still won’t fold

  ➔ Modal verb (might), Negative future (won't)

  ➔ "Might" expresses possibility or uncertainty. "Won't" is a contraction of "will not", expressing a negative prediction or intention.

• All these years I fight

  ➔ Present Simple (I fight), implied relative clause

  ➔ The phrase omits the relative pronoun "that" or "which" before "I fight." The complete thought is "All these years that I fight."

• You’ll remember me, cause we got something to prove

  ➔ Future Simple (You'll remember), Contraction (You'll, cause), Infinitive of purpose (to prove)

  ➔ "You'll remember" uses the future simple tense to predict a future event. "Cause" is a shortening of "because". "To prove" is an infinitive phrase expressing purpose.