Empire Ants – English Lyrics

• By: Gorillaz
• Album: Plastic Beach

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a sonic journey with Gorillaz's "Empire Ants," a captivating blend of atmospheric electronic soundscapes and introspective lyrics. This song offers a unique opportunity to delve into the subtle nuances of English expression, from its dreamlike opening to its more dynamic second half. Discover how the interplay of Damon Albarn's and Yukimi Nagano's vocals conveys complex emotions and profound messages about society and self, making it a truly special piece for language learners to explore.

[English]

Oh, joys arise

The sun has come again to hold you

Sailing out the doldrums of the week

The polyphonic prayer is here, it's all around you

It's all around you, out here

And if the whole world is crashing down on you

Fall through space out of mind with me

Where the emptiness we leave behind on warm air rising

Blows all the shadows far away

The falling of the whole empire is here to hold you

Rolling out and haunted 'til it sleeps

...

Little memories marching on

Your little feet, working the machine

Say, will it spin? Will it soar?

My little dream, working the machine

Soon like a wave, empires will fall

And closing in on you, they're going on

...

Little memories

Your little feet, working the machine

Say, will it spin? Will it soar?

My little dream, working the machine

Soon like a wave, empires will fall

And closing in on you, they're going on

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
arise /əˈraɪz/ B1	verb - to come into existence or notice
sailing /ˈseɪlɪŋ/ A2	verb - to travel by water in a ship or boat
doldrums /ˈdoʊl.drəmz/ C1	noun - a state of inactivity or stagnation
polyphonic /ˌpɒl.iˈfɒn.ɪk/ C2	adjective - having or producing many sounds or voices
crashing /ˈkræʃɪŋ/ B1	verb - to fall or cause to fall with force and a loud noise
emptiness /ˈɛmptɪnəs/ B2	noun - the state of being empty
haunted /ˈhɔːntɪd/ B2	adjective - frequented or inhabited by ghosts
memories /ˈmɛməriz/ A2	noun - something remembered from the past
machine /məˈʃiːn/ A1	noun - a piece of equipment with moving parts that performs a particular task
spin /spɪn/ A2	verb - to rotate rapidly
soar /sɔːr/ B1	verb - to fly or rise high in the air
empires /ˈɛmpaɪərz/ B1	noun - a group of countries or regions under a single ruler or government
falling /ˈfɔːlɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move downward, typically rapidly and freely
rolling /ˈroʊlɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move forward with a rotating motion
closing /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move so as to block an opening

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, joys arise

  ➔ Present Simple with 'arise'

  ➔ The verb 'arise' is in the present simple tense, indicating a general truth or recurring action. Here, it suggests the emergence of joy as a natural occurrence.

• The sun has come again to hold you

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'has come'

  ➔ The present perfect tense with 'has come' indicates an action that started in the past and is relevant to the present. Here, it emphasizes the sun's return and its current effect of 'holding' the listener.

• Sailing out the doldrums of the week

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'sailing'

  ➔ The present continuous tense with 'sailing' describes an action happening now. Here, it vividly portrays the act of moving away from the 'doldrums' of the week.

• The polyphonic prayer is here, it's all around you

  ➔ Present Simple with 'is'

  ➔ The present simple tense with 'is' states a fact or a permanent situation. Here, it asserts the presence of the 'polyphonic prayer' as an ongoing reality.

• Fall through space out of mind with me

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give commands or make requests. Here, 'fall' is a direct invitation to the listener to join the speaker in a metaphorical journey.

• Blows all the shadows far away

  ➔ Present Tense with 'blows'

  ➔ The present tense with 'blows' describes an action that is happening now or regularly. Here, it conveys the immediate effect of the wind dispersing shadows.

• Soon like a wave, empires will fall

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will fall'

  ➔ The future simple tense with 'will fall' predicts a future action. Here, it foretells the inevitable collapse of empires, likened to the natural force of a wave.