Be the light – English Lyrics

• By: ONE OK ROCK
• Album: 人生×僕=

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a journey of emotional expression and linguistic beauty with ONE OK ROCK's 'Be the light.' This moving rock ballad offers a powerful opportunity to learn English through its heartfelt and universally understood message of hope and perseverance. The clear and emotive vocals of Taka make it an excellent song for learners to follow along and connect with the profound meaning behind the lyrics, which touch upon overcoming tragedy and finding strength. What makes this song special is its ability to transform a somber reflection into an uplifting anthem, making the language learning process both meaningful and inspiring.

[English]

Just the thought of another day

How do we end up this way?

What did we do wrong?

God

...

Even though the days go on

So far, so far away from

It seems so close

Always weighing on my shoulder

A time like no other

It all changed on that day

Sadness and so much pain

You can touch the sorrow here

I don't know what to blame

I just watch and watch again

Even though the days go on

So far, so far away from

It seems so close

Even though the days go on

So far, so far away from

It seems so close

What did it leave behind?

What did it take from us and wash away?

It may be long

But with our hearts, start anew

And keep it up and not give up

With our heads held high

You have seen hell and made it back again

How to forget?

We can't forget

The lives that were lost along the way

And then you realize that wherever you go

There you are

Time won't stop

So, we keep moving on

Yesterday's night turns to light

Tomorrow's night returns to light

Be the light

...

Always weighing on my shoulder

A time like no other

It all changed on that day

Sadness and so much pain

Anyone can close their eyes

Pretend that nothing is wrong

Open your eyes

And look for light

What did it leave behind?

What did it take from us and wash away?

It may be long

But with our hearts, start anew

And keep it up and not give up

With our heads held high

...

You have seen hell and made it back again

How to forget?

We can't forget

The lives that were lost along the way

And then you realize that wherever you go

There you are

Time won't stop

So, we keep moving on

Yesterday's night turns to light

Tomorrow's night returns to light

Be the light

...

Some days just pass by

And some days are unforgettable

We can't choose the reason why

But we can choose what to do from the day after

So with that hope, with that determination

Let's make tomorrow a brighter and better day

Oh-oh, yeah, yeah

Oh-oh and yeah

And yeah, oh-oh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - a period of 24 hours
thought /θɔːt/ A2	noun - an idea or opinion produced by thinking
way /weɪ/ A2	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
wrong /rɒŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true noun - an unfair or unjust act
God /ɡɒd/ A2	noun - the creator and ruler of the universe
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues; duration
sadness /ˈsædnəs/ B1	noun - the state of being sad
pain /peɪn/ B1	noun - a physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury
shoulder /ˈʃəʊldər/ B1	noun - the part of the body where the arm is connected
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - an organ that pumps blood
hell /hel/ B2	noun - a place of punishment for the wicked after death
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. adjective - bright
forget /fərˈɡet/ A2	verb - fail to remember
lives /laɪvz/ B1	noun - the state of being alive
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness
tomorrow /təˈmɒrəʊ/ A1	noun - the day after today
unforgettable /ˌʌnfərˈɡetəbl/ C1	adjective - impossible or difficult to forget
hope /həʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
determination /dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃən/ B2	noun - firmness of purpose
brighter /ˈbraɪtər/ B1	adjective - more bright; giving out or reflecting a lot of light
better /ˈbetər/ A1	adjective - of a higher standard or quality; more desirable or effective.

Key Grammar Structures

• How do we end up this way?

  ➔ Interrogative structure with auxiliary 'do'

  ➔ Inversion of subject ('we') and auxiliary verb 'do' to form a question about past actions

• Even though the days go on

  ➔ Concessive clause with 'even though'

  ➔ Introduces contrast between ongoing time ('days go on') and emotional distance ('so far away')

• It all changed on that day

  ➔ Simple past tense for completed actions

  ➔ Regular verb 'changed' in past form + time marker 'on that day' indicates specific past event

• What did it leave behind?

  ➔ Wh-question with auxiliary 'did'

  ➔ Inverted structure ('did it leave') after question word 'what' to inquire about past consequences

• But with our hearts, start anew

  ➔ Imperative mood + prepositional phrase

  ➔ Omission of subject ('you') in imperative 'start' + adverbial phrase 'with our hearts' showing means

• You have seen hell and made it back again

  ➔ Present perfect + past simple coordination

  ➔ 'Have seen' (present perfect) emphasizes ongoing relevance of experience + 'made' (simple past) indicates completed return

• Time won't stop

  ➔ Future tense with 'will not' contraction

  ➔ Contracted negative future ('won't') expresses inevitability + universal truth present simple could also be used

• Yesterday's night turns to light

  ➔ Possessive apostrophe + metaphorical present simple

  ➔ 'Yesterday's' shows possession + present simple 'turns' describes universal transformation process

• We can't choose the reason why

  ➔ Modal verb for inability + relative adverb

  ➔ 'Can't' expresses lack of control + 'why' introduces relative clause modifying 'reason'