45 – English Lyrics

• By: Shinedown
• Album: Leave A Whisper

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Shinedown's powerful rock ballad "45" – a masterclass in emotional storytelling. This song is rich with metaphors and personal introspection, offering learners a unique opportunity to explore complex English vocabulary related to personal growth, struggle, and resilience. Its compelling lyrics and Brent Smith's emotive delivery make it a captivating listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of English through music.

[English]

Send away for a priceless gift

One not subtle, one not on the list

Send away for a perfect world

One not simply, so absurd

In these times of doing what you're told

Keep these feelings, no one knows

Whatever happened to the young man's heart

Swallowed by pain as he slowly fell apart

And I'm staring down the barrel of a .45

Swimming through the ashes of another life

No real reason to accept the way things have changed

Staring down the barrel of a .45

...

Send a message to the unborn child

Keep your eyes open for a while

In a box high up on the shelf

Left for you, no one else

There's a piece of a puzzle known as life

Wrapped in guilt, sealed up tight

Whatever happened to the young man's heart

Swallowed by pain as he slowly fell apart

And I'm staring down the barrel of a .45

Swimming through the ashes of another life

No real reason to accept the way things have changed

Staring down the barrel of a .45

Everyone's pointing their fingers

Always condemning me

Nobody knows what I believe

I believe

And I'm staring down the barrel of a .45

Swimming through the ashes of another life

No real reason to accept the way things have changed

Staring down the barrel of a .45

And I'm staring down the barrel of a .45

And I'm swimming through the ashes of another life

There is no real reason to accept the way things have changed

Staring down the barrel of a .45

...

(.45)

Staring down the barrel of a .45

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
priceless /ˈpraɪs.ləs/ C1	adjective - too valuable to be measured or bought
absurd /əbˈsɜːrd/ B2	adjective - wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate
ashes /ˈæʃ·ɪz/ B1	noun - the powdery residue left after something has burned
barrel /ˈbær.əl/ B1	noun - a cylindrical container for storing liquids
swimming /ˈswɪm.ɪŋ/ A2	verb - the action of moving through water by moving limbs
reason /ˈriː.zən/ B1	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	noun - the process of becoming different verb - to make or become different
sealing /ˈsiː.lɪŋ/ C1	verb - the act of closing or securing something tightly
condemning /kənˈdem.nɪŋ/ C1	verb - the act of expressing strong disapproval of someone or something
fingers /ˈfɪŋ.ɡərz/ A2	noun - the ends of the fingers on the hand
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept as true or to have faith in

Key Grammar Structures

• And I'm staring down the barrel of a .45

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ This tense describes an action that is happening at the moment of speaking.

• Keep these feelings, no one knows

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ This tense indicates habitual actions or general truths.

• There is no real reason to accept the way things have changed

  ➔ There is/are + noun phrase

  ➔ This structure introduces the existence of something or states that something exists.

• Swimming through the ashes of another life

  ➔ Present participle as a verb form (gerund)

  ➔ This form describes an ongoing action or state occurring simultaneously.

• Remember to stay strong

  ➔ Infinitive form (to + verb)

  ➔ Used to express purpose, intent, or recommendation.

• Swallowed by pain as he slowly fell apart

  ➔ Past simple tense

  ➔ This tense describes completed actions or states in the past.

• Send away for a priceless gift

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ Used to give commands, instructions, or requests.