AMERIICAN REQUIEM – English Lyrics

• By: Beyoncé

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a journey of cultural discovery, and Beyoncé's “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” offers a profound lesson. The song's rich, poetic lyrics and blend of musical styles provide a unique window into American history, identity, and the ongoing conversation about race and culture. By exploring the song's powerful message of reclamation and resilience, you can not only enhance your English vocabulary but also gain a deeper understanding of the cultural currents that shape the United States.

[English]

Nothin' really ends

For things to stay the same, they have to change again

Hello, my old friend

...

You change your name, but not the ways you play pretend

American Requiem

Them big ideas (yeah), are buried here (yeah)

Amen

...

It's a lot of talkin' goin' on

While I sing my song

Can you hear me?

I said, "Do you hear me?"

Looker there, looker there, now

Looker there, looker there

Looker-looker, looker there, looker there

Looker-looker, looker there, looker there

Looker-looker, looker there, looker there (oh, yeah)

Looker-looker, looker there, looker there

It's a lot of chatter in here

But let me make myself clear (oh)

Can you hear me? (Huh)

Or do you fear me? (Ow)

Can we stand for somethin'?

Now is the time to face the wind (Ow)

Comin' in peace and love, y'all

Oh, a lot of takin' up space

Salty tears beyond my gaze

Can you stand me?

(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?) Ooh, ah

(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?) Can we stand?

(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?) Can you stand with me?

Can we stand for somethin'?

Now is the time to face the wind

Now ain't the time to pretend

Now is the time to let love in

Thinkin' to myself (thinkin' to myself)

Oh, it's a lot of talkin' goin' on (oh)

While I sing my song (yeah)

Do you hear me when I say?

Do you hear me when I say? Ah

Looker there, looker there

Looker, look

Looker-looker-looker-looker-looker

Looker-looker there, looker there

L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-looker there

Oh, looker there, looker there

Looker there, looker there

(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?) L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l

(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?)

Can we stand for somethin'?

Now is the time to face the wind (now is the time to face the wind)

Now ain't the time to pretend

Now is the time to let love in (to let love in)

Together, can we stand?

Looker there, looker in my hand

The grand baby of a moonshine man

Gadsden, Alabama

Got folks down in Galveston, rooted in Louisiana

They used to say I spoke, "Too country"

And the rejection came, said I wasn't, "Country 'nough"

Said I wouldn't saddle up, but

If that ain't country, tell me, what is?

Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years

They don't, don't know how hard I had to fight for this

When I sing my song

(When I sing the song of Abraham)

(When the angels guide and take my hand)

(Oh, no)

Goodbye to what has been

Pretty house that we never settled in

A funeral for fair-weather friends

I am the one to cleanse me of my Father's sins

American Requiem

Them big ideas (yeah) are buried here (yeah)

Amen

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ B1	verb - to make or become different
sound /saʊnd/ B2	noun/adjective/verb - a vibration that travels through the air or another medium and can be heard
buried /ˈbɛr.id/ B2	adjective - covered with earth and not visible
ideas /aɪˈdɪəz/ B1	noun - thoughts or opinions formed by the mind
buried /ˈbɛr.id/ B2	adjective - covered with earth and not visible
together /təˈɡɛðər/ A2	adverb - with or in proximity to another or others
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - freedom from war or conflict
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - to be in an upright position on feet verb - to tolerate or endure
pretend /prɪˈtɛnd/ B1	verb - to behave as if something is true when it is not
face /feɪs/ A2	verb - to confront or deal with
fight /faɪt/ B1	verb - to engage in combat or struggle

Key Grammar Structures

• For things to stay the same, they have to change again

  ➔ Conditional sentences type 0 (zero)

  ➔ This sentence expresses a general truth. "If" is implied: "If things are to stay the same, they have to change again."

• You change your name, but not the ways you play pretend

  ➔ Contrast with 'but'

  ➔ The sentence uses "but" to show a contrast. The subject changes their name, implying a significant change, "but" their underlying behaviour remains the same.

• It's a lot of talkin' goin' on

  ➔ Present continuous tense with a non-standard 'talkin'' and 'goin''

  ➔ "Talkin'" and "goin'" are informal contractions of "talking" and "going." It emphasizes that the action of talking is currently happening a lot.

• Do you hear me when I say?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence in the present simple tense with an embedded clause.

  ➔ The main question is "Do you hear me?", followed by a subordinate clause "when I say," indicating the specific moment the speaker wants to be heard.

• They used to say I spoke, "Too country"

  ➔ Used to + verb (past habit)

  ➔ "Used to say" indicates a past habit or repeated action that no longer occurs. It highlights a past criticism that the speaker received.

• If that ain't country, tell me, what is?

  ➔ Rhetorical question

  ➔ This is a rhetorical question, where the speaker isn't expecting an answer. It's used to emphasize the speaker's point that they embody what 'country' truly is.

• Goodbye to what has been

  ➔ Noun clause with 'what'

  ➔ "What has been" functions as a noun clause, referring to the past state or situation. It's the object of the preposition "to".