Aerials – English Lyrics

• By: System Of A Down

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be a deeply rewarding experience, and 'Aerials' by System of a Down offers a unique opportunity to explore complex themes and rich vocabulary. The song's poetic and metaphorical lyrics about life, conformity, and spiritual freedom can enhance your understanding of abstract concepts in English. The powerful and clear vocals of Serj Tankian make it easier to follow the lyrics, while the song's dynamic structure will keep you engaged. What makes 'Aerials' special is its ability to blend heavy instrumentation with profound philosophical questions, making it a timeless piece of music that continues to resonate with listeners worldwide.

[English]

(air swooshing)

(dark music)

♪ Life is a waterfall ♪

♪ We're one in the river ♪

♪ And one again after the fall ♪

♪ Swimming through the void, we hear the word ♪

♪ We lose ourselves, but we find it all ♪

♪ 'Cause we are the ones that want to play ♪

♪ Always want to go, but you never want to stay ♪

♪ And we are the ones that want to choose ♪

♪ Always want to play but you never want to lose ♪

♪ Aerials in the sky ♪

♪ When you lose small mind, you free your life ♪

♪ Life is a waterfall ♪

♪ We drink from the river ♪

♪ Then we turn around and put up our walls ♪

♪ Swimming through the void, we hear the word ♪

♪ We lose ourselves, but we find it all ♪

♪ 'Cause we are the ones that want to play ♪

♪ Always want to go, but you never want to stay ♪

♪ And we are the ones that want to choose ♪

♪ Always want to play but you never want to lose ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Aerials in the sky ♪

♪ When you lose small mind, you free your life ♪

♪ Aerials, so up high ♪

♪ When you free your eyes, eternal prize ♪

♪ Aerials in the sky ♪

♪ When you lose small mind, you free your life ♪

♪ Aerials, so up high ♪

♪ When you free your eyes, eternal prize ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
waterfall /ˈwɔːtərfɔːl/ B2	noun - a fall of water over the edge of a cliff
river /ˈrɪvər/ A2	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel
fall /fɔːl/ A2	noun - an act of descending from a higher to a lower position verb - to move downward through the air under the influence of gravity
void /vɔɪd/ C1	noun - a completely empty space
lose /luːz/ B1	verb - to be deprived of or cease to have
find /faɪnd/ A2	verb - to discover something after searching
want /wɒnt/ A2	verb - to desire to have or do something
choose /tʃuːz/ B1	verb - to select from options
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - to engage in activity for enjoyment
lose /luːz/ B1	verb - to no longer have or retain
high /haɪ/ A2	adjective - at or to a great extent above the ground or sea level
prize /praɪz/ C1	noun - something awarded as a reward for victory or achievement verb - to obtain or win (something, especially a prize)
eternal /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/ C1	adjective - lasting forever; timeless

Key Grammar Structures

• Life is a waterfall.

  ➔ Simple present tense.

  ➔ The sentence uses the simple present tense to express a general truth or fact.

• We lose ourselves, but we find it all.

  ➔ Compound sentence.

  ➔ This sentence combines two independent clauses with a conjunction 'but'.

• Always want to go, but you never want to stay.

  ➔ Present simple for habitual actions.

  ➔ The use of 'want' in the present simple indicates habitual actions or desires.

• When you lose small mind, you free your life.

  ➔ Conditional sentence.

  ➔ This sentence presents a condition that leads to a result, using 'when' to introduce the condition.

• Aerials in the sky.

  ➔ Noun phrase.

  ➔ This phrase consists of a noun 'Aerials' and a prepositional phrase 'in the sky'.

• When you free your eyes, eternal prize.

  ➔ Imperative mood.

  ➔ The phrase suggests an action in the imperative mood, implying a command or encouragement.