Condolence – English Lyrics

• By: Benjamin Clementine
• Album: I Tell A Fly

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Benjamin Clementine's "Condolence," a song that transcends conventional music, offering a rich tapestry of poetic lyrics and raw, expressive vocals. For English learners, this track is a masterclass in evocative language and emotional depth, providing an opportunity to grasp nuanced expressions of resilience and self-belief. Its unique narrative style, combined with Clementine's distinct delivery, makes it a captivating piece for language acquisition and cultural appreciation alike.

[English]

I swear that you've seen me

Yes, you've seen me here before, before

And so don't tell it

Don't tell it otherwise

This voice, this particular voice

Yes, you've heard it before, before

And so don't you dare tell it

Don't you dare tell it otherwise

No wonder why the road seems so long

'Cause I had done it all before

And I won

You felt this feeling, tell me don't be ashamed

You felt it before, before

And so don't tell me

Don't tell me otherwise

I almost forgot, foolish me

I almost forgot, forgot

That where I'm from we see the rain

Before the rain even starts to rain

No wonder why you've been buggering me

This walk, it's a previous journey

And I won

...

Before I was born there was a storm

Before that storm there was fire

Burning everywhere, everywhere

And everything became nothing again

And then out of nothing

Out of absolutely nothing, I, Benjamin, I was born, mmm

So that when I become someone one day

I will always remember that I came from nothing

No wonder why you've been buggering me

'Cause this walk, it's a previous journey

And no wonder why the road seems so long

'Cause I had done it all before

And I won

I'm sending my condolence

I'm sending my condolence to fear

...

I'm sending my condolence

I'm sending my condolence to insecurities

...

You should know by now

You should know by now

That I just don't care

...

For what you might say

Might bring someone downhill

I'm sending my condolence

I'm sending my condolence to fear

I'm sending my condolence

I'm sending my condolence to insecurities

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
swear /swer/ B1	verb - to make a solemn statement or promise
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song
road /roʊd/ A1	noun - a wide way leading from one place to another
feeling /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ A2	noun - an emotional state or reaction
ashamed /əˈʃeɪmd/ B1	adjective - feeling embarrassment or guilt because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere verb - to fall as rain
walk /wɔːk/ A1	noun - an act of traveling or an instance of traveling somewhere on foot verb - move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/ B1	noun - an act of traveling from one place to another
storm /stɔːrm/ A2	noun - a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke
nothing /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ A1	noun - no single thing; zero
condolence /kənˈdoʊləns/ C1	noun - an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death
fear /fɪər/ A2	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger, real or imagined
insecurities /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊrətiz/ B2	noun - the state of being open to danger or threat; lack of protection
care /ker/ A2	verb - feel concern or interest; attach importance to something

Key Grammar Structures

• Yes, you've seen me here before, before

  ➔ Present Perfect (have/has + past participle)

  ➔ The "present perfect" indicates an action completed at an unspecified time before now. The repetition of "before" emphasizes the past experience.

• No wonder why the road seems so long

  ➔ Idiomatic expression "No wonder why..."

  ➔ "No wonder why" introduces a statement that explains a previous situation. It suggests that the reason for the road seeming long is now understandable.

• Before I was born there was a storm

  ➔ Past Simple (was) with a time clause using "before"

  ➔ The sentence uses the "past simple" to describe a past event (the storm) that occurred before another past event (the speaker's birth). "Before" establishes the chronological order.

• So that when I become someone one day / I will always remember that I came from nothing

  ➔ "So that" (purpose clause) + Future Simple (will)

  ➔ "So that" introduces a purpose clause, explaining the reason for the speaker's future action (becoming someone). The "future simple" describes the speaker's intention to remember their origins.

• I'm sending my condolence to fear

  ➔ Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing) with metaphorical use of "condolence"

  ➔ The "present continuous" emphasizes the action of sending is happening now, or is ongoing. "Condolence" is metaphorically used, not literally meaning grief over death, but rather dismissing or overcoming fear.

• For what you might say / Might bring someone downhill

  ➔ Modal verbs (might) for possibility

  ➔ "Might" expresses a weaker possibility. It suggests what someone says could potentially negatively impact someone else, but it's not a certainty.