Dirt – English Lyrics

• By: Keane
• Album: Dirt EP

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the poignant depths of Keane's 'Dirt,' a song that delves into the heart of conflict and cultural loss. Through evocative piano melodies and vivid lyrics, this track offers a unique perspective on the human cost of war, making it a powerful tool for understanding the impact of global events. Discover the stories behind the music and enrich your comprehension of historical and contemporary struggles.

[English]

It's market day when

They bring the flood

Faster than our feet can run

Swarm of angels from above

All is broken, still they come

And round the oak tree

Air is shaking

Children sleep under the sun

And we go down to the river to pray

Pray for magic and another day

But it's low now, it's like we're fading away

Into the dirt of memory

Along the Silk Road the fires burn

Where the seats of learning stood

And handsome couples would take a turn

Through the wealthy neighbourhood

Oh, roll the stone or move the mountain

Wake oh, wake your time has come

And we go down to the river to pray

Pray for magic and another day

But it's low now, it's like we're fading away

Into the dirt of memory

And we go down to the river today

We pray for silence and we pray for grace

But it's low now, still you're rubbing my face

Into the dirt of memory

...

In a shop in Al-Medina

And a house in the old quarter

And I'll never sleep again

...

Centuries lived in these stones

I don't think you know

...

Oh, roll the stone or move the mountain

Wake, oh wake, your time has come

And we go down to the river to pray

Pray for magic and another day

But it's low now, it's like we're fading away

Into the dirt of memory

And we go down to the river today

We pray for silence and we pray for grace

But it's low now, still you're rubbing my face

Into the dirt of memory

...

Key Grammar Structures

• It's market day when they bring the flood

  ➔ Present Simple with 'when' for a specific, repeated event

  ➔ The phrase 'It's market day when...' uses the Present Simple to describe a recurring event (market day) and introduces a time clause with 'when'.

• Faster than our feet can run

  ➔ Comparative clause with 'than'

  ➔ The phrase 'Faster than our feet can run' uses a comparative clause to compare the speed of the flood to the speed of running.

• All is broken, still they come

  ➔ Present Simple with 'still' for contrast

  ➔ The sentence 'All is broken, still they come' uses the Present Simple with 'still' to emphasize contrast between the broken state and the continued arrival.

• And we go down to the river to pray

  ➔ Present Simple with 'to' infinitive for purpose

  ➔ The phrase 'And we go down to the river to pray' uses the Present Simple with a 'to' infinitive to express the purpose of going to the river.

• But it's low now, it's like we're fading away

  ➔ Present Simple with 'it's like' for comparison

  ➔ The phrase 'it's like we're fading away' uses 'it's like' to draw a comparison between the current situation and fading away.

• Into the dirt of memory

  ➔ Prepositional phrase with 'into'

  ➔ The phrase 'Into the dirt of memory' uses a prepositional phrase with 'into' to indicate direction or movement toward something abstract (memory).

• Oh, roll the stone or move the mountain

  ➔ Imperative mood with 'or' for alternatives

  ➔ The phrase 'roll the stone or move the mountain' uses the imperative mood with 'or' to present two alternative actions.

• Wake, oh wake, your time has come

  ➔ Imperative mood repeated for emphasis

  ➔ The phrase 'Wake, oh wake' repeats the imperative mood to emphasize the urgency of the action.