All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful) – English Lyrics

• By: Elton John

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartfelt lyrics of Elton John's 'All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)' to explore themes of gratitude and contentment. This beautifully crafted piano rock ballad offers accessible English vocabulary and straightforward phrasing, making it an excellent song for language learners to grasp emotional expression and appreciate the simplicity of powerful songwriting. Discover how conveying thankfulness can be a universal message through Elton John's timeless artistry.

[English]

And breaking down never seems to be that hard

Falling short is always in the cards

I'm on the road, sun rising at my back

Lost it all somewhere between the cracks

I always hoped that I'd do better

That I'd come out on top for once

We all get what we're delivered

Then there are the lucky ones

And I've got all that I'm allowed

It'll do for me, I'm thankful now

The walls get higher every day

The barriers get in the way

But I see hope in every cloud

And I'm thankful, thankful

I'm thankful, so thankful

I'm thankful, I've got all that I'm allowed

...

And leaving town gets to feel just like a job

My desire never winds up on top

I can say now, I didn't want the moon

It's out of reach somewhere beyond this room

I always hoped that I'd do better

That I'd come out on top for once

We all get what we're delivered

Then there are the lucky ones

And I've got all that I'm allowed

It'll do for me, I'm thankful now

The walls get higher every day

The barriers get in the way

But I see hope in every cloud

And I'm thankful, thankful

I'm thankful, so thankful

I'm thankful, I've got all that I'm allowed

I've always tried to make things clear

Then I watched as progress stalled

I only hope I'm standing here

When Heaven finally comes to call

...

And I've got all that I'm allowed

It'll do for me, I'm thankful now

The walls get higher every day

The barriers get in the way

But I see hope in every cloud

And I'm thankful, thankful

I'm thankful, so thankful

I'm thankful, I've got all that I'm allowed

Thankful

I'm thankful, so thankful

I'm thankful, I've got all that I'm allowed

...

All that I'm allowed

I'm thankful and I've got all that I'm allowed

So thankful and I've got all that I'm allowed

...

Key Grammar Structures

• And breaking down never seems to be that hard

  ➔ Present simple with 'seem'

  ➔ The phrase 'never seems to be' uses the present simple with 'seem' to express a general truth or recurring situation.

• I'm on the road, sun rising at my back

  ➔ Present continuous

  ➔ 'I'm on the road' and 'sun rising' use the present continuous to describe actions happening now or around now.

• I always hoped that I'd do better

  ➔ Past simple with 'hope'

  ➔ The phrase 'always hoped' uses the past simple to describe a past habit or repeated action.

• We all get what we're delivered

  ➔ Present simple passive

  ➔ 'Get what we're delivered' uses the present simple passive to emphasize the action rather than the doer.

• But I see hope in every cloud

  ➔ Present simple with 'see'

  ➔ 'I see hope' uses the present simple to express a habitual or general action.

• I've got all that I'm allowed

  ➔ Present perfect with 'have got'

  ➔ 'I've got' uses the present perfect to describe a past action with present relevance.

• The walls get higher every day

  ➔ Present simple passive

  ➔ 'The walls get higher' uses the present simple passive to describe a recurring action.

• I'm thankful, so thankful

  ➔ Present simple with adjective

  ➔ 'I'm thankful' uses the present simple with an adjective to express a current state or feeling.