Bitter Sweet Symphony – English Lyrics

• By: The Verve

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony" to explore universal themes of struggle, hope, and the human condition. This iconic track, with its distinctive orchestral arrangements and introspective lyrics, offers a unique opportunity to engage with English in a profoundly emotional and thought-provoking way. Discover how its powerful message transcends language, making it a truly special song for learners.

[English]

(soothing music)

♪ 'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life ♪

♪ Trying to make ends meet ♪

♪ You're a slave to the money, then you die ♪

♪ I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down ♪

♪ You know the one that takes you to the places ♪

♪ Where all the veins meet, yeah ♪

♪ No change, I can change, I can change, I can change ♪

♪ But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould ♪

♪ But I'm a million different people ♪

♪ From one day to the next ♪

♪ I can't change my mold ♪

♪ Well, I've never prayed ♪

♪ But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah ♪

♪ I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind ♪

♪ I feel free now ♪

♪ But the airwaves are clean ♪

♪ And there's nobody singing to me now ♪

♪ No change, I can change, I can change, I can change ♪

♪ But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould ♪

♪ And I'm a million different people ♪

♪ From one day to the next ♪

♪ I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ Have you ever been down ♪

♪ I can't change it you know, I can't change it ♪

♪ 'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony this life ♪

♪ Trying to make ends meet ♪

♪ Trying to find some money, then you die ♪

♪ You know I can change, I can change ♪

♪ I can change, I can change ♪

♪ But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould ♪

♪ And I'm a million different people ♪

♪ From one day to the next ♪

♪ I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ It's just sex and violence, melody and silence ♪

♪ Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence ♪

♪ Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence ♪

♪ I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down ♪

♪ Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence ♪

♪ I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down ♪

♪ Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
bitter /ˈbɪtər/ B2	adjective - having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet
sweet /swiːt/ A1	adjective - having a pleasant taste like that of sugar or honey; not salty, sour, or bitter.
symphony /ˈsɪmfəni/ B2	noun - an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements, at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
meet /miːt/ A1	verb - to encounter (someone) unexpectedly. verb - to satisfy a requirement or need.
slave /sleɪv/ B1	noun - a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; collectively.
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - to stop living.
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a way or course that is traveled or followed.
places /ˈpleɪsɪz/ A1	noun - a particular position or point in space.
veins /veɪnz/ B2	noun - any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen-depleted blood towards the heart.
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - to make or become different.
mould /moʊld/ B2	noun - a hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material when it cools and hardens.
people /ˈpiːpəl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively.
knees /niːz/ A2	noun - the joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.
sounds /saʊndz/ A1	noun - vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear.
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury.
melody /ˈmelədi/ B1	noun - a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying.
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness.
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not under the control or power of someone else; able to do or say what you want.
violence /ˈvaɪələns/ B2	noun - behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
silence /ˈsaɪləns/ B1	noun - complete absence of sound.

Key Grammar Structures

• Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life

  ➔ Subject-Verb-Complement; Use of "Cause" as abbreviation of "Because"

  ➔ The line uses simple sentence structure. "It's" is a contraction of "it is". "Cause" replaces "Because" for informal emphasis. The whole clause means that *this life* is like a *bittersweet symphony*

• Trying to make ends meet

  ➔ Gerund phrase as a participle phrase modifying the implied subject (you/we)

  ➔ "Trying" acts as a participle, describing an action that is happening in parallel. "To make ends meet" is an idiom meaning to have enough money to pay for basic needs.

• You're a slave to the money, then you die

  ➔ Present tense to express a general truth; contrasting clauses joined by "then".

  ➔ The present simple conveys a sense of universal truth. "Then" indicates a sequence or consequence: first you are a slave to money, and subsequently, you die.

• I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down

  ➔ Future simple with "will" (I'll = I will). Relative clause with implied relative pronoun (that/which) omitted: "the only road (that) I've ever been down".

  ➔ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will", indicating a future action. The relative clause "I've ever been down" modifies "the only road". The relative pronoun "that" or "which" is omitted, common in informal speech/writing.

• No change, I can change, I can change, I can change

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis; Use of "can" to express ability/possibility

  ➔ The repetition of "I can change" creates emphasis and highlights the internal conflict. "Can" shows the *ability* to change but doesn't imply whether the change will happen.

• But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould

  ➔ Use of "But" to express contrast; repetition for emphasis; present simple to describe a current state; idiom 'in my mould'

  ➔ "But" contrasts the previous statement (I can change). The repetition of "I am here in my mould" emphasizes the feeling of being stuck or unchangeable. The idiom "in my mould" means stuck in a pattern or way of being. The present simple indicates a current, ongoing state.

• Well, I've never prayed, but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah

  ➔ Present perfect tense ("I've never prayed") to describe a past experience up to now. Simple present ("I'm on my knees") for current state. "But" to introduce contrast.

  ➔ "I've never prayed" indicates that up until *now*, the speaker has never engaged in prayer. "I'm on my knees" describes their current physical state (likely indicating desperation). "But" shows a contrast between the speaker's past and present.