Daddy's Little Girl – English Lyrics

• By: Frankie J
• Album: Priceless

Lyrics & Translation

Learn about the profound bond between a father and daughter through Frankie J's touching ballad, "Daddy's Little Girl." The song's heartfelt lyrics and emotional depth offer a special way to connect with the English language, exploring themes of love, loss, and family. The powerful storytelling in the song, which depicts various scenarios of paternal separation, makes it a poignant piece for language learners to engage with.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
suitcase /ˈsuːtkeɪs/ A2	noun - a rectangular container for carrying clothes and other personal belongings when traveling.
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, or vehicle.
feet /fiːt/ A1	noun - plural of foot; the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks.
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
leave /liːv/ A1	verb - go away from.
need /niːd/ A2	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important.
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.
save /seɪv/ A2	verb - keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or risk.
return /rɪˈtɜːrn/ B1	noun - an act of coming or going back to a place or person.
room /ruːm/ A1	noun - a space within a building that is separated from other spaces by walls.
school /skuːl/ A1	noun - an institution for educating children.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs of vision
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - feel deep affection for (someone). noun - an intense feeling of affection.
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
doctors /ˈdɒktərz/ A2	noun - A person who is skilled in the science of medicine; a physician or surgeon.
breathe /briːð/ A2	verb - Take air into the lungs and expel it.

Key Grammar Structures

• She knows her daddy won't be back anymore

  ➔ Future Simple (Negative): "won't be"

  ➔ Uses the contraction "won't" (will not) to express that the father will not return. This is a standard way to express a negative prediction about the future.

• Tryna hold back time to keep him holding on

  ➔ Informal Contraction "Tryna" (Trying to) + Phrasal Verb "hold back" + Purpose Clause "to keep him holding on"

  ➔ "Tryna" is a very informal contraction of "trying to." "Hold back" means to restrain. The purpose clause clarifies the intent: she's trying to hold back time *in order to* keep him holding on (staying alive/with them).

• Daddy daddy don't leave

  ➔ Imperative (Negative): "Don't leave"

  ➔ A direct and emotional plea. The negative imperative uses "don't" + base form of the verb to express a command not to do something.

• I'll do anything to keep you Right here with me

  ➔ Future Simple "I'll do" + Infinitive of Purpose "to keep you"

  ➔ "I'll do" expresses a promise or willingness to act in the future. The infinitive phrase "to keep you" explains the purpose of doing anything.

• Can't you see how much I need you

  ➔ Interrogative Sentence + Embedded Clause "how much I need you"

  ➔ This is a question ("Can't you see?") that includes an embedded clause acting as the object of the verb "see". The clause describes the extent of her need.

• Mommy's saying things she don't mean

  ➔ Present Continuous "Mommy's saying" + Relative Clause "she don't mean"

  ➔ Uses the present continuous to describe an action happening now. The relative clause "she don't mean" modifies "things" and provides more information. The use of "don't" instead of "doesn't" is grammatically incorrect but common in informal speech and song lyrics.

• Somebody hear me out

  ➔ Imperative Sentence (with unspecified subject)

  ➔ A desperate plea to anyone who might be listening. Although the subject is not explicitly stated, it is implied. The speaker is imploring anyone to listen to her.

• Tell him that he's got a home and he don't have to go

  ➔ Imperative "Tell him" + Indirect Speech (that clause) + Modal Verb "have to" (negative form)

  ➔ The imperative "Tell him" instructs someone to relay a message. The "that" clause reports what the message is. "He don't have to go" is an informal way of saying "he doesn't have to go," expressing a lack of obligation. Again, the use of "don't" instead of "doesn't" is grammatically incorrect, but stylistic.

• There ain't no more time

  ➔ Double Negative (Informal): "ain't no"

  ➔ "Ain't" is a non-standard contraction often used in informal speech or dialects, generally replacing "am not," "is not," "are not," "has not," or "have not." Combined with "no more time," this creates a double negative, which is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English but used here for emphasis and emotional effect.