Broken Ladders – English Lyrics

• By: Selah
• Album: Unbreakable

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a meaningful linguistic and spiritual journey with Selah's "Broken Ladders." This Contemporary Christian song offers beautifully clear English lyrics that are easy to follow, making it an excellent resource for language learners. Beyond its accessible vocabulary and harmonious delivery, the song's profound message about surrendering worldly pressures for a simple, heartfelt faith provides rich cultural and emotional context, making it a truly special piece to connect with.

[English]

You never asked me to be king

Build my tower up to the sky

So why do I try?

You never asked me to be rich

Buy the things that gold can buy

So why do I try?

All You ever wanted was my heart

My heart, my simple heart

To You that's all that really matters

Why do I feel I have to reach

Believe I have to rise

When You never said I had to climb

These broken ladders

You never asked me to be complete

By myself, find all I need

So why do I try?

Oh, You never asked me to stand alone

Face the struggles on my own

So why do I try?

When all You ever wanted was my heart

My heart, my simple heart

To You that's all that really matters

Why do I feel I have to reach

Believe I have to rise

When You never said I had to climb

These broken ladders

'Cause all they do is take

My eyes off of You

Make me forget the truth

All You ever wanted was my heart

My heart, my simple heart

To You that's all that really matters

Why do I feel I have to reach

Believe I have to rise

When You never said I had to climb

Oh, You never said I had to climb

These broken ladders

Oh, these broken ladders

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ask /æsk/ A2	verb - to request information or an answer
build /bɪld/ B1	verb - to construct or create something
tower /ˈtaʊər/ B2	noun - a tall, narrow building or structure
sky /skaɪ/ A2	noun - the space above the earth where the clouds and sun are
rich /rɪtʃ/ B1	adjective - having a lot of money or valuable possessions
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ in your chest that pumps blood
matter /ˈmætər/ B2	noun - something that is important or relevant verb - to be of significance or importance
reach /riːtʃ/ B1	verb - to arrive at or get as far as a place or a goal
climb /klaɪm/ B1	verb - to go up something, usually using your hands and feet
struggle /ˈstrʌɡl/ B2	noun - a difficult effort to do something verb - to make a great effort to do something
complete /kəmˈpliːt/ B2	adjective - having all necessary parts or elements verb - to finish or make something whole
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to be in an upright position on your feet
face /feɪs/ A2	noun - the front part of the head with the eyes, nose, and mouth
truth /truːθ/ B2	noun - something that is real or correct

Key Grammar Structures

• You never asked me to be king

  ➔ Past Simple Tense with "never" + Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ This sentence uses the past simple tense ("asked") to describe an action that did not occur in the past. "Never" emphasizes the absence of the request. The infinitive "to be king" explains the purpose of the request.

• So why do I try?

  ➔ Interrogative sentence structure with "why" + Auxiliary verb "do" + Subject + Main verb

  ➔ This is a simple question in the present simple tense. The auxiliary verb "do" is required because "try" is the main verb.

• All You ever wanted was my heart

  ➔ Relative Clause + Past Simple Tense

  ➔ "All You ever wanted" is a relative clause modifying "my heart". The main verb "was" is in the past simple tense.

• Why do I feel I have to reach

  ➔ Indirect Question + Modal Verb "have to"

  ➔ This sentence includes an indirect question ("Why do I feel...") followed by a clause using the modal verb "have to", indicating obligation. The clause "I have to reach" expressing perceived necessity.

• When You never said I had to climb

  ➔ Subordinating Conjunction "When" + Past Simple Tense + Modal Verb "had to"

  ➔ "When" introduces a subordinate clause expressing a time relationship. "Had to climb" is the past form of "have to", indicating a past obligation that was not actually required.

• These broken ladders

  ➔ Adjective + Noun (Plural)

  ➔ "Broken" is an adjective describing the noun "ladders," which is in plural form, showing there are multiple ladders.

• 'Cause all they do is take My eyes off of You

  ➔ Causative "cause" + Subject + Verb + "is" + Verb (bare infinitive)

  ➔ This sentence uses the shortened form 'cause (because) to explain why. The phrase "all they do is take" is a common construction where "take" functions as a bare infinitive (infinitive without "to") after "is" when describing the only action performed.