Lyrics & Translation
This poignant soul-pop song offers a unique opportunity for language learners to engage with a narrative that unfolds across a lifetime, making it relatable and memorable. Its simple yet effective musical arrangement and heartfelt, autobiographical lyrics, which were partly inspired by rap music, provide an honest and progressive look at life's journey and universal themes of family, aspirations, and aging. The song's distinct "folky vibe" and lack of a traditional hook or fixed structure encourage a deeper connection to its evolving story.
[English]
Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me
"Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely"
Once, I was seven years old
It was a big-big world, but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
By 11, smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
Never rich, so we were out to make that steady figure
Once, I was 11 years old, my daddy told me
"Go get yourself a wife, or you'll be lonely"
Once, I was 11 years old
I always had that dream like my daddy before me
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
Something about the glory just always seemed to bore me
'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once, I was 20 years old (Lukas Graham!)
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major
I got my boys with me, at least those in favor
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told
I was writing 'bout everything, I saw before me
Once, I was 20 years old
Soon, we'll be 30 years old, our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world, and we're still roaming
Soon, we'll be 30 years old
I'm still learning about life, my woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs, and I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me, some are still out seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind, my brother, I'm still sorry
Soon, I'll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month
Soon, I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold?
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?
Soon, I'll be 60 years old
Soon, I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold?
Or will I have a lot of children who can hold me?
Soon, I'll be 60 years old
Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me
"Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely"
Once, I was seven years old
Once, I was seven years old
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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friends /frendz/ A1 |
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lonely /ˈloʊnli/ A2 |
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world /wɜːrld/ A1 |
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bigger /ˈbɪɡər/ A1 |
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learning /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/ A2 |
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burning /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/ B1 |
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rich /rɪtʃ/ A2 |
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dream /driːm/ A2 |
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writing /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ A2 |
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stories /ˈstɔːriz/ A2 |
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glory /ˈɡlɔːri/ B2 |
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love /lʌv/ A1 |
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story /ˈstɔːri/ A2 |
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life /laɪf/ A1 |
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goals /ɡoʊlz/ B1 |
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failure /ˈfeɪljər/ B2 |
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voices /ˈvɔɪsɪz/ B1 |
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major /ˈmeɪdʒər/ B1 |
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songs /sɔːŋz/ A1 |
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children /ˈtʃɪldrən/ A1 |
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cold /koʊld/ A1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely
➔ Imperative and Conditional Clause
➔ "Go" is an imperative verb. "Or" introduces a conditional clause expressing a consequence if the imperative is not followed: if you don't make friends, "you'll be lonely".
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Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
➔ Present Participle as Adverbial of Manner / Reason
➔ "Pushing each other to the limits" acts as an adverbial phrase of manner, explaining how they were learning quicker. It describes the way in which the learning was happening.
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Never rich, so we were out to make that steady figure
➔ Adjective phrase as adverbial / Result Clause
➔ "Never rich" acts as an adverbial phrase, suggesting the reason or context for their action. "So" introduces a result clause. Because they were never rich, they were determined to earn a stable income.
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Something about the glory just always seemed to bore me
➔ Use of "Seem" with Infinitive
➔ "Seemed to bore" is a construction where "seem" is followed by an infinitive ("to bore"). It indicates an appearance or impression. In this case, it suggests that glory appeared to be boring to the speaker.
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Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
➔ Adverbial Phrase of Time + Non-defining Relative Clause
➔ "Before the morning sun" is an adverbial phrase indicating when something happened. ", when life was lonely" is a non-defining relative clause, adding extra information about the time period but not essential for identifying it.
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And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
➔ Type 1 Conditional Sentence
➔ This is a Type 1 conditional sentence expressing a real possibility. The structure is "If + Present Simple, will + base form". "If we don't meet before I leave" is the conditional clause, and "I hope I'll see you later" is the main clause.
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Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
➔ Imperative + Coordinate Clause
➔ "Remember life" is an imperative clause (a command or instruction). "And then" connects it to a coordinate clause "your life becomes a better one", showing a sequence or result.
