Election Time – English Lyrics

• By: Wyclef Jean

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into "Election Time" by Wyclef Jean, a powerful hip-hop anthem that transcends mere music to explore themes of civic responsibility and national rebuilding. This song offers a unique opportunity to engage with political discourse through its accessible lyrics, encouraging listeners to understand the nuances of democratic choice and social issues. Through Wyclef's blend of hip-hop and Haitian influences, you'll gain insight into the artist's personal journey and his profound connection to his homeland, making it a compelling piece for language learners interested in culturally rich and politically charged narratives.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
election /ɪˈlɛkʃən/ B2	noun - a formal process of choosing a person for a political office
vote /voʊt/ A2	verb - to cast a ballot in an election noun - a formal indication of choice, expressed by a ballot
generation /ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/ B1	noun - all of the people born and living at about the same time
immigration /ˌɪməˈɡreɪʃən/ B2	noun - the act of moving to a new country to live permanently
capitalism /ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm/ C1	noun - an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and profit motive
socialism /ˈsoʊʃəlɪzəm/ C1	noun - a political and economic theory advocating public ownership of the means of production
racism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ B2	noun - prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people based on their race
welfare /ˈwɛlfɛr/ B2	noun - government support for the health and well‑being of its citizens
unemployment /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/ B2	noun - the state of being without a paid job while actively looking for work
education /ˌɛdjʊˈkeɪʃən/ B1	noun - the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at school
trade /treɪd/ B1	noun - the action of buying and selling goods and services verb - to exchange goods or services for money
peace /pis/ A2	noun - a state of calm and freedom from conflict
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - armed conflict between different countries or groups
economy /ɪˈkɒnəmi/ B2	noun - the system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in a country
infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ C1	noun - the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
technology /tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/ B2	noun - the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
foreign /ˈfɒrən/ B1	adjective - of, from, or characteristic of a country other than one's own
policy /ˈpɒləsi/ C1	noun - a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual
bailout /ˈbeɪlaʊt/ C1	noun - financial assistance to a failing business or economy, often by a government
stimulate /ˈstɪmjʊleɪt/ C1	verb - to encourage or increase activity, growth, or development

Key Grammar Structures

• As long as we got music, we gon' dance all day

  ➔ As long as...

  ➔ This uses the conjunction "as long as" to introduce a condition. "Gon'" is a contraction of "going to" used in informal speech.

• Election time is coming

  ➔ Present Continuous

  ➔ Indicates an action that is happening now or around now, emphasizing the imminence of the event.

• Who you gon' vote for

  ➔ Question with "who" and future tense ("gon'" for "going to")

  ➔ A question asking about the person the listener will vote for. "Gon'" is colloquial for "going to."

• Do you want peace or war

  ➔ Direct question with "or" (alternative)

  ➔ A direct question presenting two choices. "Or" connects the alternatives.

• I need the bailout money to stimulate economy

  ➔ Need + infinitive (to stimulate)

  ➔ Expressing a need, followed by the infinitive to indicate the purpose.

• Raised on family values, my life be my testament

  ➔ Passive Voice/Past Participle; Subject-verb inversion for emphasis

  ➔ "Raised" functions as a past participle. The sentence structure is slightly inverted for emphasis. "Be" is used for poetic effect.

• I was raised Christian

  ➔ Passive voice

  ➔ The subject of the sentence is acted upon, which is a characteristic of passive voice.

• Did you know that a Haitian founded Chicago?

  ➔ Indirect question with "that"

  ➔ A question structured as a statement, introduced with a question about knowledge and using "that" to connect the statement.

• You could have been anywhere

  ➔ Modal perfect (could have + past participle)

  ➔ Expresses a possibility in the past that did not happen.

• I'm gonna love you

  ➔ Future tense with "going to"

  ➔ Expresses an intention or future action using "going to". "Gonna" is a colloquial contraction.