Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? – English Lyrics

• By: Paloma Faith

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the English language through Paloma Faith's 'Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?', a song rich with poetic and thought-provoking lyrics. This track offers a great opportunity to explore nuanced vocabulary related to themes of perception, honesty, and illusion, all wrapped in a dramatic and soulful melody that makes learning both engaging and memorable.

[English]

The prophet took my hand on All Saints Day

He preached the value of deception

Changing shadows by a shape-shifter's rules

Tales are never just for fools

The court of conscience came before me

Presenting me with a heavenly angel

You took my hand and ask me, truth aside

To his questions I replied

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

Just close your eyes and make believe

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

I am happy to deceive you

He stood as tall as redwood trees

Drank tea from a seamstress thimble

Didn't want to speak, the honest truth

So I spit out lies that aimed to soothe

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

Just close your eyes and make believe

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

I am happy to deceive you

Secrets, lying, falling veils

I can be who you want me to be

Sacred lies in, telling tales

I can be who you want me to be

But do you want me?

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

Just close your eyes and make believe

Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

I am happy to deceive you

Sacred lies in, telling tales

I can be who you wants me to be

I can be who you wants me to be

I can be who you wants me to be

But do u want me?

But do u want me?

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
deception /dɪˈsɛpʃən/ B2	noun - the act of deceiving or misleading
shape-shifter /ˈʃeɪp ʃɪftər/ C1	noun - a person or being that can change its shape or form
conscience /ˈkɑːnʃəns/ B2	noun - a person's moral sense of right and wrong
deceive /dɪˈsiːv/ B1	verb - to make someone believe something that is not true
heavenly /ˈhɛvənlɪ/ B1	adjective - relating to heaven; divine or beautiful
soothe /suð/ B2	verb - to gently calm or comfort someone
veil /veɪl/ B1	noun - a piece of fabric that covers the head or face verb - to cover or conceal something
sacred /ˈseɪkrɪd/ B1	adjective - connected with God or a religion; worthy of respect
prophet /ˈprɑːfɪt/ A2	noun - a person who speaks for a god or predicts the future
angel /ˈeɪndʒəl/ A1	noun - a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, messenger, or intermediary of God
thimble /ˈθɪmbəl/ B1	noun - a small cap worn on the finger to protect it while sewing
seamstress /ˈsiːmstres/ B1	noun - a woman who sews clothes as a job
tale /teɪl/ A2	noun - a story, especially one that is imaginary or untrue
redwood /ˈrɛdˌwʊd/ B1	noun - a tall tree with red wood, native to North America
honest /ˈɑːnɪst/ A2	adjective - truthful and sincere

Key Grammar Structures

• The prophet took my hand on All Saints Day

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb 'took' is in the past simple tense, indicating a completed action in the past.

• He preached the value of deception

  ➔ Past Simple Tense with Object

  ➔ The verb 'preached' is in the past simple tense, and 'the value of deception' is the direct object.

• Changing shadows by a shape-shifter's rules

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective

  ➔ 'Changing' is a present participle used as an adjective to describe 'shadows'.

• Do you want the truth or something beautiful?

  ➔ Alternative Question with 'or'

  ➔ This is an alternative question using 'or' to offer two choices.

• I am happy to deceive you

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ 'To deceive you' is an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for being happy.

• I can be who you want me to be

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood with 'be'

  ➔ The phrase uses the subjunctive mood with 'be' to express a hypothetical situation.

• But do you want me?

  ➔ Tag Question

  ➔ This is a tag question added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation.