Be Brave – English Lyrics

• By: Owl City
• Album: Cinematic

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartwarming narrative of Owl City's 'Be Brave,' a beautifully crafted song that offers a unique window into personal storytelling through music. Its clear, evocative lyrics and gentle melody make it an excellent choice for English learners, providing relatable vocabulary and narrative structures. By following Adam Young's journey of unexpected connection, you can not only appreciate the song's tender message but also enhance your English comprehension in a memorable and emotional way.

[English]

In the basement of an empty house

I slept on the floor like a vagrant

I braved a Minnesota winter night

And drove to a movie feeling lonely

And as I thawed my heart out by the light

Of the silver screen

I was unaware that you were there

In the dark, a silhouette

Was climbing up the stairs

And what I thought

In the parking lot

Was like, I just wanna know your name

I drove away

With not much to say

But in my hand I held a paper bird

And written on it were the words

Be brave

Wildflower knew I wasn't well

But on the kitchen floor I got better again

I grabbed my keys and drove toward a star

And there, I was understood for the first time in my life

Cause that's when I was introduced to true

Serendipity

I knew it when

You showed up again

In the snow, I was always told

Your heart is where you're home

And what I thought

In the coffee shop

Was like, the last eight hours was a dream

I drove away

With not much to say

But in my hand I held a paper bird

And written on it were the words

Ok, I'll be brave

And in my mind

After all this time

I think, ain't life beautiful and strange

I'm blown away

With no words to say

Cause I, I'll forever be amazed

How I learned the meaning of the phrase

Be brave

...

Key Grammar Structures

• I braved a Minnesota winter night

  ➔ Past Simple with 'braved'

  ➔ The verb 'braved' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past. It describes the speaker's action of enduring the winter night.

• I was unaware that you were there

  ➔ Past Continuous with 'were'

  ➔ The phrase 'you were there' uses the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action in the past. It highlights that the presence of 'you' was continuous at that time.

• And what I thought in the parking lot

  ➔ Past Simple with 'thought'

  ➔ The verb 'thought' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past. It describes the speaker's past thought or belief.

• But in my hand I held a paper bird

  ➔ Past Simple with 'held'

  ➔ The verb 'held' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past. It describes the speaker holding the paper bird.

• I grabbed my keys and drove toward a star

  ➔ Past Simple with 'grabbed' and 'drove'

  ➔ The verbs 'grabbed' and 'drove' are both in the past simple tense, indicating completed actions in the past. They describe the speaker's actions of taking the keys and driving.

• I knew it when you showed up again

  ➔ Past Simple with 'knew' and 'showed'

  ➔ The verbs 'knew' and 'showed' are in the past simple tense, indicating completed actions in the past. They describe the speaker's realization and the action of 'you' showing up again.

• I think, ain't life beautiful and strange

  ➔ Present Simple with 'think' and Contraction 'ain't'

  ➔ The verb 'think' is in the present simple tense, indicating a current thought or opinion. 'Ain't' is a contraction of 'am not' or 'is not', used informally.

• I'm blown away with no words to say

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'am blown'

  ➔ The phrase 'I'm blown away' uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now. It expresses the speaker's current state of being amazed.