Fairytale Of New York

• By: The Pogues, Kirsty MacColl

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
Christmas /ˈkrɪsməs/ A1	noun - the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep verb - to indulge in daydreams or fantasies about something greatly desired
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - have a strong feeling of deep affection for (someone or something) noun - an intense feeling of deep affection
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune
drunk /drʌŋk/ B1	adjective - affected by alcohol to the extent of losing control of one's faculties or behaviour noun - a person who is drunk
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - of or at a low or relatively low temperature
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town or metropolis
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
bell /bel/ A1	noun - a hollow metal object, typically cup-shaped, that resonates when struck, producing a ringing sound
lying /ˈlaɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface verb - present false information, with the intention of deceiving
dead /ded/ A2	adjective - no longer alive
last /læst/ A1	adjective - coming after all others in time or order; final
dreams /driːmz/ A2	noun - aspirations; ambitions
band /bænd/ A2	noun - a group of musicians who play together

Grammar:

• Won't see another one

  ➔ Future Simple Negative (Will not/Won't)

  ➔ The structure "will not" (contracted to "won't") expresses a prediction about the future. Here, it indicates the old man's belief that he "won't" experience another Christmas.

• Came in 18 to one

  ➔ Past Simple

  ➔ "Came" is the past tense of "come". This sentence describes a completed action in the past, referring to winning at odds of 18 to 1.

• This year's for me and you

  ➔ Possessive Case ('s)

  ➔ The "'s" indicates possession. "This year's" means "this year is" or "this year belongs to". It signifies that the year is special or designated for them.

• Broadway was waiting for me

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense (was/were + V-ing)

  ➔ "Was waiting" indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. It suggests that Broadway's opportunities were available and expected at that past time.

• You're a bum, you're a punk

  ➔ Contraction (You're = You are)

  ➔ The use of "You're" which is a contraction of "You are". This is a common way to shorten phrases in spoken and informal written English. It is used to launch into a string of insults.

• I pray God it's our last

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Implied "that")

  ➔ The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or demands. The structure implies "I pray (that) God it's our last". Though the "that" is omitted, the sentence conveys a strong wish or hope. Note that in formal grammar, after 'pray' you would use 'be' so it would be 'I pray God *be* our last'

• I could have been someone

  ➔ Third Conditional (Modal verb + have + past participle)

  ➔ "Could have been" indicates a possibility in the past that did not happen. It expresses regret or unfulfilled potential. It implies "If things had been different, I could have been someone else/more successful."

• I've built my dreams around you

  ➔ Present Perfect (have/has + past participle)

  ➔ "I've built" is the contraction of "I have built", which is the present perfect tense. This tense connects a past action with the present. In this context, it suggests that the process of building dreams around the other person started in the past and its effects are still felt in the present.