Damage Gets Done – English Lyrics

• By: Hozier, Brandi Carlile
• Album: Unreal Unearth: Unending

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the rebellious joy and profound message of Hozier and Brandi Carlile's "Damage Gets Done." This song offers a chance to explore themes of youth, societal critique, and the beauty of simplicity through its powerful lyrics. The collaboration between these two incredible vocalists makes it a special and moving listening experience, perfect for reflecting on your own memories while appreciating a masterful piece of songwriting.

[English]

Without shame

Two outfits then to my name

You'd end up in one when you'd stay

We had nowhere to go

And every desire for going there

I heard once

It's the comforts that make us feel numb

We'd go out with no way to get home

And we'd sleep on somebody's floor

And wake up feeling like a millionaire

Wish I'd known it was just our turn (we just got by)

Being blamed for a world we had no power in (but we tried)

You and I had nothing to show (we didn't know anything)

But the best of the world in the palm of our hands, and darling

I haven't felt it since then

I don't know how the feelin' ended

But I know being reckless and young

Is not how the damage gets done

One time (time) we would want for nothin' (we had it all, love)

We knew what our love was worth (when we had nothing)

Now we're always missing something (I miss when)

I miss when we did not need much

Oh, if the car ran, the car was enough

If the sun shone on us, it's a plus

And the tank was always filled up

Only enough for our getting there

That first car was like wings on an angel (you flew away)

Before the whole wide world got too thin (from me then)

I swear, goodwill kept up the engine (just to turn back)

You were steering my heart like a wheel in your hands

And, darling, I haven't felt it since then

I don't know how the feelin' ended

But I know being reckless and young

Is not how the damage gets done

...

All I needed was someone

When the whole wide world felt young

All I needed was someone

When the whole wide world felt young

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B1	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something verb - to strongly want or wish for something
wings /wɪŋz/ B2	noun - the parts of a bird or insect used for flying
reckless /ˈrɛkləs/ B2	adjective - not caring about the consequences of your actions
damage /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ B2	noun - the harm or injury that is caused to something or someone verb - to harm or impair the quality, value, or usefulness of something
power /ˈpaʊər/ B2	noun - the ability to do things or act in a particular way
truth /truːθ/ B2	noun - the real facts about something
feelings /ˈfiːlɪŋz/ B2	noun - emotional states or reactions
world /wɜːrld/ A2	noun - the earth and all its inhabitants
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or physical sensation
lost /lɒst/ A2	adjective - unable to find one's way or know where one is
end /ɛnd/ A2	noun - the final part of something verb - to bring or come to a final point

Key Grammar Structures

• It's the comforts that make us feel numb

  ➔ Relative clause using 'that' to specify a noun

  ➔ The phrase 'that make us feel numb' is a relative clause describing 'the comforts'.

• We had nowhere to go

  ➔ Past tense verb 'had' indicating past possession or situation

  ➔ 'Had' is used here as the simple past tense to show a completed state or condition.

• And every desire for going there

  ➔ Prepositional phrase 'for going there' acting as the object of 'desire'

  ➔ The phrase 'for going there' functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose or target of 'desire'.

• And we'd sleep on somebody's floor

  ➔ Modal 'would' used to indicate habitual or repeated past action

  ➔ The use of 'would' here suggests a habitual or repeated action in the past.

• I swear, goodwill kept up the engine

  ➔ Past tense verb 'kept' indicating continuous action in the past

  ➔ The verb 'kept' is in past tense, showing ongoing action in the past.

• And, darling, I haven't felt it since then

  ➔ Present perfect tense 'haven't felt' indicating a state from the past continuing to the present

  ➔ 'Haven't felt' is in present perfect tense, used to describe an experience or state that started in the past and continues to the present.