– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Vote Sheldon for class president.

Vote Sheldon for class president.

Vote Sheldon for class president.

Don't worry-- it's a number two.

You can use it on standardized tests.

Okay.

And, of course, homework.

I love homework.

Well, it's so nice to finally meet you.

I'm Nell Cavanaugh.

My opponent.

I would shake your hand, but my mom is washing my mittens.

Okay.

(chuckles)

She was really nice.

She even said, "May the best student win."

That's sweet.

This was a great idea.

Children like cupcakes, and, by giving them cupcakes,

they'll transfer that affinity to me.

That's another way of looking at it.

By that reasoning, a rich person could simply buy people's votes.

It's been known to happen.

Until my ship comes in,

I guess it's cupcakes.

Georgie, check it out.

Oh, man, I hate that he's doing this.

What? It's cute.

It's embarrassing.

I would think you'd be proud of him.

That's 'cause you're a better person than me.

Maybe you ought to ask God to take away your anger

and replace it with love.

Can I ask him to take away my brother instead?

Georgie.

Not kill him--

just strand him on an island somewhere.

A nice island,

with coconuts and stuff.

(indistinct chatter)

(chuckling)

Nell Cavanaugh,

it appears we're taking the mittens off.

Well, that's unfortunate.

Oh, this goes well beyond unfortunate.

It's flat-out unfair.

Did you not say that you love homework?

Of course I said it. I say it all the time.

But she took it out of context and is using it against me.

Well, that is what happens in politics.

People stretch the truth.

Well, those people are dirty dogs.

They certainly are.

Now, let me ask you something.

How bad do you want to win this election?

Bad enough to let 105 kids shake my mitten.

Okay, then you need to toughen up.

Politics is not for the weak-kneed.

Are you suggesting that I fight fire with fire?

I am.

So going to my room and crying in my pillow is not an option?

It is not.

Then I have some thinking to do.

MISSY: Oh, yeah.

You're screwed.

Which is why I need your help.

Why me?

You're ruthless.

I've seen you cheat at Candy Land.

Thanks. Go on.

Well, I'd like to retaliate,

but I don't know anything about her.

Make something up.

Ooh, tell people she has head lice.

I won't resort to lying.

There's a Denise Cavanaugh in my class.

Could be her little sister.

So?

I'll see if I can dig up something about Nell

you can use against her.

Thank you.

Georgie, I hate to have to ask this,

but are you going to vote for me?

No. Go away.

Are you sure?

If I win, I can make you a hall monitor.

Imagine the respect you'll get then.

Get lost.

GEORGE JR.: Lord, please take away my anger toward my stupid brother.

My life is hard enough.

Don't let him be president.

And while we're talking,

Veronica-- help me out.

Encourage her to do something with me she'll regret.

Amen.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
vote /voʊt/ A1	verb - to cast a ballot in an election noun - a ballot or the act of voting
president /ˈprɛzɪdənt/ B1	noun - the elected head of a country, organization or group
standardized /ˈstændərdaɪzd/ B2	adjective - made to conform to a standard; uniform
homework /ˈhoʊmwɜrk/ A2	noun - school assignments to be completed outside class
opponent /əˈpəʊnənt/ B2	noun - a person who competes against another; an adversary
mittens /ˈmɪtnz/ A2	noun - handwear without separate fingers, covering the whole hand
cupcakes /ˈkʌpkeɪks/ B1	noun - small individual cakes, usually frosted
affinity /əˈfɪnəti/ C1	noun - a natural liking or sympathy for someone or something
reasoning /ˈriːzənɪŋ/ B2	noun - the process of thinking about something in a logical way
unfair /ʌnˈfɛr/ B1	adjective - not just or impartial; biased
politics /ˈpɒlɪtɪks/ B2	noun - activities associated with governing a country or organization
stretch /stretʃ/ B1	verb - to extend one's body or a part of it to its full length
ruthless /ˈruːθləs/ C1	adjective - having no compassion or pity; merciless
retaliation /rɪˌtæliˈeɪʃən/ C1	noun - the act of returning an injury or wrongdoing with a similar action
island /ˈaɪlənd/ A2	noun - a piece of land surrounded by water
coconut /ˈkoʊkənʌt/ A2	noun - the large brown fruit of the coconut palm, with a hard shell and white meat
anger /ˈæŋɡər/ B1	noun - a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility
embarrassing /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/ B2	adjective - causing shame or awkwardness
cheat /tʃiːt/ B1	verb - to act dishonestly in order to gain an advantage
respect /rɪˈspɛkt/ B1	noun - a feeling of admiration toward someone or something verb - to treat with admiration or consideration

Key Grammar Structures

• Vote Sheldon for class president.

  ➔ Imperative

  ➔ The verb "Vote" is in its base form, which makes the sentence an imperative command.

• Don't worry-- it's a number two.

  ➔ Negative Imperative + Contraction

  ➔ The contracted form "Don't" (= do not) negates the imperative verb "worry".

• You can use it on standardized tests.

  ➔ Modal verb + bare infinitive

  ➔ The modal verb "can" is followed by the bare infinitive "use", indicating ability.

• I would shake your hand, but my mom is washing my mittens.

  ➔ Conditional clause + contrastive conjunction

  ➔ "Would" forms a polite conditional meaning "I could shake...", while "but" introduces a contrasting fact.

• By that reasoning, a rich person could simply buy people's votes.

  ➔ Modal verb "could" + infinitive (possibility)

  ➔ "Could" expresses a hypothetical ability: "could simply buy" means it would be possible.

• Maybe you ought to ask God to take away your anger and replace it with love.

  ➔ Modal phrase "ought to" + infinitive (advice)

  ➔ "Ought to" is used for strong advice; it is followed by the infinitive "ask".

• Can I ask him to take away my brother instead?

  ➔ Yes‑no question with modal "can" + infinitive

  ➔ "Can" asks for permission; it is followed by the infinitive "ask" and another infinitive phrase "to take away…".

• If I win, I can make you a hall monitor.

  ➔ First conditional (present + will/can)

  ➔ "If" introduces a realistic future condition; "can" shows the possible result.

• Lord, please take away my anger toward my stupid brother.

  ➔ Polite request with "please" + infinitive

  ➔ "Please" softens the command "take away" and turns it into a polite request.