Bridge Over Troubled Water – English Lyrics

• By: Simon & Garfunkel

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Simon & Garfunkel's iconic "Bridge Over Troubled Water." This emotionally resonant song, known for its powerful lyrics and gospel-infused piano, offers a rich vocabulary for expressing empathy, support, and resilience in English. Its universal message of comfort in adversity, coupled with Art Garfunkel's soaring vocal performance, makes it a truly special and accessible piece for language learners to explore the nuances of English expression and emotional depth through music.

[English]

When you're weary

Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I'll dry them all

I'm on your side

Oh, when times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

...

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you

I'll take your part

Oh, when darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

...

Sail on, silver girl, sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine

Oh, if you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
weary /ˈwɪəri/ B2	adjective - feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion
small /smɔːl/ A1	adjective - of limited size; not large
tears /tɪərz/ A2	noun - drops of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye in response to strong emotion, pain, or irritation
rough /rʌf/ B1	adjective - having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level
bridge /brɪdʒ/ A2	noun - a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, road, railroad, or other obstacle
troubled /ˈtrʌbəld/ B2	adjective - beset by problems or difficulties
water /ˈwɔːtər/ A1	noun - a colorless, transparent, odorless, and tasteless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms
down /daʊn/ A1	adjective - sad or depressed
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town
evening /ˈiːvnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time at the end of the day, usually from about 6 p.m. to bedtime
hard /hɑːrd/ A2	adjective - not easily broken or damaged; solid
comfort /ˈkʌmfərt/ B1	verb - to ease the grief or distress of
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ B1	noun - the state of being dark
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - travel in a boat or ship
silver /ˈsɪlvər/ A2	adjective - of a pale gray color like silver
shine /ʃaɪn/ A2	verb - to give out or reflect light
dreams /driːmz/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
ease /iːz/ B2	verb - to make (something unpleasant or intense) less serious or painful
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 and thought

Key Grammar Structures

• When you're weary

  ➔ Adjective as a subject complement after the verb "to be"

  ➔ The adjective "weary" describes the state of "you". The linking verb "are" connects the subject "you" to the adjective that describes it.

• I'll dry them all

  ➔ Future Simple with "will/shall" (contracted to "'ll")

  ➔ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will". It expresses a future action, a promise to dry the tears.

• Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down

  ➔ Simile using "like" for comparison

  ➔ The speaker compares themselves to a bridge, using "like" to show the similarity in providing support and help.

• When evening falls so hard

  ➔ Adverb of degree "so" modifying the adjective "hard"

  ➔ "So" intensifies the adjective "hard", indicating the evening is exceptionally difficult or challenging.

• I will comfort you

  ➔ Future Simple Tense

  ➔ Expresses a future action or promise.

• Sail on, silver girl, sail on by

  ➔ Imperative mood (repetition for emphasis)

  ➔ "Sail on" is a command or encouragement, urging the "silver girl" to continue moving forward. Repetition emphasizes this urging.

• Your time has come to shine

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense combined with infinitive of purpose

  ➔ "Your time has come" indicates that the moment for success or recognition has arrived. "To shine" explains the purpose of this moment.

• See how they shine

  ➔ Imperative mood with an indirect question introduced by "how"

  ➔ "See" is an imperative, urging the listener to observe. "How they shine" is an indirect question embedded within the command, emphasizing the brilliance.