By My Lonely – English Lyrics

• By: Kevin Gates
• Album: I'M HIM

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the raw and unfiltered storytelling of Kevin Gates in 'By My Lonely.' This track offers a powerful lesson in self-reliance and the importance of trusting your own path. Through its candid lyrics about overcoming adversity, you can learn authentic street slang and gain insight into the mindset of a survivor, making it a compelling song for understanding the nuances of modern hip-hop.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
kill /kɪl/ B1	verb - to cause the death of
principle /ˈprɪnsɪpl/ B2	noun - a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior
bands /bændz/ A2	noun - large sums of money
homie /ˈhoʊmi/ A2	noun - a close friend
general /ˈdʒenərəl/ B2	noun - a person with high rank in the armed forces adjective - relating to the whole of something
sleep /sliːp/ A1	noun - the natural state of rest verb - to rest
scale /skeɪl/ B1	noun - an instrument for weighing
texture /ˈtekstʃər/ B2	noun - the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or substance
storm /stɔːrm/ A2	noun - a violent disturbance of the atmosphere
cell /sel/ A2	noun - a small room where people are kept as prisoners
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ A1	adjective - needing rest
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to exert effort noun - activity involving mental or physical effort
drive /draɪv/ A2	verb - operate a vehicle
metal /ˈmetl/ A2	noun - a solid material
charge /tʃɑːrdʒ/ B1	verb - to take control
respected /rɪˈspektɪd/ B2	adjective - admired by people
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict
cartel /kɑːrˈtel/ C1	noun - an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition

Key Grammar Structures

• Kill yourself but get your whole fam slammed on principle

  ➔ Causative construction with "get" + past participle

  ➔ The verb "get" is used as a causative verb followed by the past participle "slammed" – "get" + "slammed" means "cause the family to be slammed". The sentence also starts with the imperative "Kill".

• I had to make a couple bands by my lonely

  ➔ Past modal "had to" + infinitive (obligation in the past)

  ➔ "had to" expresses a past obligation. It is followed by the infinitive "make" – "I had to make" = "I was forced/required to make".

• Fuck nigga, I don't wanna be your homie (for real)

  ➔ Negative present simple with "do not" + infinitive (colloquial "don't wanna" = "do not want to")

  ➔ "don't wanna" is the informal contraction of "do not want to". The structure is "do not" + infinitive "be" – "I don't wanna be" = "I do not want to be".

• If you can deal with the smell, dealin' with paraphernal'

  ➔ First conditional (if + present simple, ... )

  ➔ "If you can" uses the present simple after "if" to talk about a possible situation. The second clause also uses the present participle "dealin'" to show a concurrent action.

• I'm tied in with the mayor (achoo)

  ➔ Passive voice (present simple) – "am tied"

  ➔ "am tied" is the present simple passive of "tie". The subject "I" receives the action: "I am tied in with the mayor" = "I am connected/associated with the mayor".

• Workin' that bitch, I'm takin' a call (hello)

  ➔ Present continuous (progressive) – "am takin'"

  ➔ "I'm takin'" is the contracted form of "I am taking", the present continuous used for actions happening now or around the moment of speaking.

• Heavy metal in my section, I'm controllin', I'm in charge

  ➔ Present continuous with stative meaning – "am controllin'"

  ➔ "I'm controllin'" uses the present continuous to express a current state or role rather than a temporary action: "I am in control".

• General for real, g-give a decree, the streets salute **me**

  ➔ Imperative mood – "give a decree"

  ➔ "give" is an imperative verb, a direct command without a subject. The implied subject is "you": "(You) give a decree".