A Thousand Years – English Lyrics

• By: Christina Perri

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and emotional journey with Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years," a quintessential modern love ballad. This song is an excellent resource for learning romantic and descriptive English vocabulary related to commitment, devotion, and timelessness. Its clear, evocative lyrics and slow, deliberate waltz rhythm make it easy to follow and sing along to, offering a powerful, yet gentle, way to practice English listening and pronunciation. Discover how simple words combine to express the profound emotion of a love that lasts a lifetime—and beyond.

[English]

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR A THOUSAND MORE

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

TIME HAS BROUGHT YOUR HEART TO ME, I HAVE LOVED YOU

AND ALL ALONG, I BELIEVED I WOULD FIND YOU

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR A THOUSAND MORE

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

DARLING, DON'T BE AFRAID, I HAVE LOVED YOU

I HAVE DIED EVERY DAY WAITING FOR YOU

ONE STEP CLOSER

ONE STEP CLOSER

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR A THOUSAND MORE

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

TIME HAS BROUGHT YOUR HEART TO ME, I HAVE LOVED YOU

AND ALL ALONG, I BELIEVED I WOULD FIND YOU

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR A THOUSAND MORE

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

DARLING, DON'T BE AFRAID, I HAVE LOVED YOU

I HAVE DIED EVERY DAY WAITING FOR YOU

ONE STEP CLOSER

EVERY BREATH, EVERY HOUR HAS COME TO THIS

WHAT'S STANDING IN FRONT OF ME

I WILL BE BRAVE, I WILL NOT LET ANYTHING TAKE AWAY

TIME STANDS STILL, BEAUTY IN ALL SHE IS

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR A THOUSAND MORE

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

DARLING, DON'T BE AFRAID, I HAVE LOVED YOU

I HAVE DIED EVERY DAY WAITING FOR YOU

ONE STEP CLOSER

ALL OF MY DOUBT SUDDENLY GOES AWAY SOMEHOW

BUT WATCHING YOU STAND ALONE

HOW TO BE BRAVE? HOW CAN I LOVE WHEN I'M AFRAID TO FALL

HEART BEATS FAST, COLORS AND PROMISES

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection or strong liking verb - to feel deep affection for someone
thousand /ˈθaʊ.zənd/ B1	noun - the number 1,000
year /jɪər/ A1	noun - a period of twelve months
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the measured period during which events occur
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood; the centre of emotion
believed /bɪˈliːvd/ B2	verb - to think something is true or real
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ B1	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety
died /daɪd/ B2	verb - to cease living; to stop existing
waiting /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ B1	verb - to stay in place until something happens
step /stɛp/ A2	noun - a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down again verb - to move by lifting the foot and putting it down again
breath /brɛθ/ A2	noun - the air taken into or expelled from the lungs
brave /breɪv/ B2	adjective - courageous; having or showing bravery verb - to show courage or boldness
beauty /ˈbjuːti/ B1	noun - a combination of qualities that pleases the senses
doubt /daʊt/ B2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction verb - to feel uncertain about something
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ B2	noun - a declaration or assurance that one will do something verb - to assure someone that one will definitely do something
color /ˈkʌlər/ A2	noun - the characteristic of visual perception described by hue, saturation and brightness
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - by oneself; without other people
fast /fæst/ A2	adjective - moving or able to move at high speed

Key Grammar Structures

• I have loved you for a thousand years.

  ➔ Present Perfect

  ➔ The phrase “have loved” shows an action that started in the past and continues up to now.

• I have died every day waiting for you.

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous sense

  ➔ The repetition implied in “have died every day” expresses an ongoing emotional suffering over time.

• Time stands still, beauty in all she is.

  ➔ Simple Present for timeless truth

  ➔ “Stands” and “is” are in present tense to describe permanent beauty and emotion.

• How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

  ➔ Modal verb with infinitive

  ➔ “Can” shows ability or possibility, and it is followed by the base form “love.”

• All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

  ➔ Simple Present expressing a general truth

  ➔ The verb “goes” states what usually happens or is always true in a given situation.

• I will not let anything take away what's standing in front of me.

  ➔ Future with 'will' + object clause

  ➔ “Will not let” expresses determination in the future; the clause “what’s standing…” acts as the object.

• Every breath, every hour has come to this.

  ➔ Present Perfect for result

  ➔ “Has come” shows that all previous actions or time have led to this moment.

• I will be brave.

  ➔ Simple Future with 'will'

  ➔ “Will be” expresses a decision or promise about the future.

• Don't be afraid.

  ➔ Imperative form for giving advice or instruction

  ➔ “Don’t be” is a negative imperative telling someone not to feel fear.