Lyrics & Translation
Delve into the poignant narrative of Lukas Graham's "7 Years," a soul-pop hit that beautifully chronicles the journey of life through different ages, reflecting on personal growth, friendships, and the anticipation of fatherhood. Its honest and autobiographical lyrics offer a unique opportunity to connect with English vocabulary related to life stages, emotions, and aspirations, while its relatable themes of family and time's passage make it a powerful and accessible song for language learners.
[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 the 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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lonely /ˈloʊn.li/ B1 |
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world /wɜːrld/ A2 |
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dream /driːm/ B1 |
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story /ˈstɔː.ri/ A2 |
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glory /ˈɡlɔː.ri/ B2 |
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children /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ A2 |
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success /səkˈsɛs/ B2 |
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fear /fɪər/ B1 |
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manage /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ B2 |
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believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1 |
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story /ˈstɔː.ri/ A2 |
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life /laɪf/ A2 |
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What does “lonely” mean in the song "7 Years"?
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Key Grammar Structures
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Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me
➔ Past Simple Tense
➔ Used to describe completed actions or states in the past.
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Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
➔ Past Continuous Tense
➔ Describes an ongoing action in the past that was happening simultaneously with other actions.
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Never rich, so we were out to make that steady figure
➔ Infinitive of Purpose (to make)
➔ Expresses the purpose of the action—aiming to achieve a certain goal.
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I started writing songs, I started writing stories
➔ Past Perfect Continuous (started)
➔ Indicates the beginning of an action in the past.
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Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
➔ Conditional Sentence Type 1
➔ Expresses a realistic condition and its possible result.
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Most of my boys are with me, some are still out seeking glory
➔ Present Continuous Tense
➔ Describes actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or around the current time.
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And some I had to leave behind, my brother, I'm still sorry
➔ Modal Verb 'had to' for obligation
➔ Expresses necessity or obligation to do something.
