CHARLIE – English Lyrics

• By: Tom MacDonald

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the powerful story behind Tom MacDonald's song 'CHARLIE,' a moving tribute that transcends music to become a statement on freedom and loss. For those learning English, the song's clear and direct lyrics offer a poignant way to engage with contemporary issues and expressive language. 'CHARLIE' is special not only for its heartfelt message but also for its role in a significant cultural moment, providing a unique lens through which to understand current events and the power of music to respond to them.

[English]

Shot down and he was barely 31

Another woke coward took a life with a gun

He left behind a wife and a daughter and a son

All he did was try to speak for all of us

And I'm so tired of the hatred and the narratives

The patriots ain't dangerous, woke people are the terrorists

They shot and killed the fathers, sent a message to Americans

They ain't gonna stop until they bury us

Dear Charlie, I don't know if you can see us now

But if heaven has a window, I sure hope you're looking down

Cause we ain't going quiet, we gon' scream your name loud

And you're gone, but I swear to God that we gon' make you proud

We ain't backing off or giving up, I'll preach what you taught me

They may have killed a soldier, but that man had an army

This is far more deep than some political parties

And you can't kill freedom, so this one is for Charlie

This ain't the America that all our parents love

But good man tried, he keep making it great

Pray that God will take care of us, the system is failing us

But good men die for the things that they say

And I can't just be quiet

So I gotta be brave, cause this is America

Lately it's scaring us, but one good man can change it all in a day

Killed in cold blood

For having a discussion

And liberals are celebrating murder like it's justice

You didn't kill a villain or the evil that it comes with

You killed a father and a husband

And I'm so tired of the left and all the wokery

We can't get along if you just kill us when we don't agree

Sniper rifle fired from a liberal that no one sees

Scared I might be next to die when I'm just buying groceries

Charlie, we'll make sure your children know

That defending all our freedom is why you aren't coming home

I hope heaven has a window you can watch your children grow

And hear your message echo from below

And we ain't backing off or giving up, I'll preach what you taught me

They may have killed a soldier, but that man had an army

This is far more deep than some political parties

And you can't kill freedom, so this one is for Charlie

This ain't the America that all our parents loved

But good men tried, he keep making it great

Pray that God will take care of us, the system is failing us

But good men die for the things that they say

And I can't just be quiet

So I gotta be brave, cause this is America

Lately it's scaring us,

But one good man can change it all in a day

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B1	noun - The power to act, speak, or think without restraint
soldier /ˈsoʊldʒər/ A2	noun - A person who serves in an army
army /ˈɑːrmi/ A2	noun - An organized military force
woke /woʊk/ C1	adjective - Alert to social injustice (modern political context)
terrorists /ˈterərɪsts/ B2	noun - People who use violence for political aims
heaven /ˈhevən/ A2	noun - The afterlife paradise in religious belief
window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ A1	noun - An opening in a wall for light/view
kill /kɪl/ A2	verb - To cause death
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A1	verb - To make or become different
echo /ˈekoʊ/ B1	verb - To repeat sound by reflection
scaring /ˈskerɪŋ/ A2	verb - Causing fear or alarm
failing /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/ A2	verb - Not functioning successfully
cold /koʊld/ B2	adjective - Without emotion; deliberate and cruel (in 'cold blood')
deep /diːp/ B1	adjective - Profound; extending far beyond surface
proud /praʊd/ A2	adjective - Feeling deep satisfaction from achievements
political /pəˈlɪtɪkəl/ B1	adjective - Relating to government or public affairs
brave /breɪv/ A2	adjective - Courageous in facing danger