Ghost – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson
• Album: HIStory

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Michael Jackson's 'Ghost' offers a unique opportunity to explore English through powerful and emotive lyrics. The song's clear enunciation and dramatic delivery make it easier to follow along and pick up new vocabulary related to feelings of injustice and defiance. What makes 'Ghost' special is its direct and personal message, providing a window into the artist's own struggles and allowing for a deeper connection with the language and the story behind the song.

[English]

There's a ghost down in the hall

There's a ghoul upon the bed

There's something in the walls

There's blood up on the stairs

And it's floating through the room

And there's nothing I can see

And I know that that's the truth

Because now it's onto me

I don't understand it

Hey

I don't understand it

Aaow

...

There's a thumpin' in the floor

There's a creak behind the door

There's a rocking in the chair

But there's no one sitting there

There's a ghostly smell around

But nobody to be found

And a coffin', it lay open

Where a restless soul has fallen

Don't understand it

Hey!

Don't understand it

...

And who gave you the right to scare my family?

And who gave you the right to shake my baby, she needs me

And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?

They put a knife in my back

Shot an arrow in me!

Tell me are you the ghost of jealousy?

...

The ghost of jealousy

There's a thumpin' in the floor

There's a creak behind the door

There's a rocking in the chair

But nobody's sitting there

There's a ghostly smell around

But nobody to be found

And a coffin', it lay open

Where a restless soul has fallen

Don't understand it!

Yeah Yeah!

Don't understand it!

You're just a dog gone!

Aaow!

And who gave you the right to scare my family?

And who gave you the right to scare my baby, she needs me

And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?

...

And who gave you the right to take intrusion, to see me?

And who gave you the right to shake my family?

And who gave you the right to hurt my baby, she needs me

And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?

They put a knife in my back

Shot an arrow in me!

Tell me are you the ghost of jealousy?

A suckin' ghost of jealousy

...

Aaow!

And who gave you the right to shake my family?

...

And who gave you the right to shake my baby, she needs me

And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?

And who gave you the right to take, intrusion to see me?

And who gave you the right to hurt my family?

And who gave you the right hurt my baby, she needs me

And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?

You put a knife in my back

Shot an arrow in me!

Tell me are you the ghost of jealousy?

The ghost of jealousy

Aaow

Dog gone

But there's no doubt about it, piece of mind

Tell me are you the ghost of jealousy

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ghost /ɡoʊst/ A2	noun - the spirit of a dead person
ghoul /ɡuːl/ B2	noun - a monstrous creature resembling a ghost
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red fluid that circulates in the bodies of animals
floating /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/ B1	verb - to rest or move on the surface of a liquid or in the air without sinking
truth /truːθ/ A2	noun - the real state of things
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A2	verb - to perceive the intended meaning of words, language, or a speaker
thumpin' /ˈθʌmpɪn/ B1	verb - making a heavy, dull sound
creak /kriːk/ B1	noun - a harsh, creaking sound
rocking /ˈrɒkɪŋ/ B1	verb - to move back and forth rhythmically
restless /ˈrɛstlɪs/ B2	adjective - unable to rest or relax
scare /skɛər/ A2	verb - to frighten
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - to move or cause to move rapidly back and forth or up and down
knife /naɪf/ A2	noun - a tool or weapon with a blade
arrow /ˈærəʊ/ B1	noun - a weapon consisting of a shaft with a pointed tip
jealousy /ˈdʒeləsi/ B2	noun - the state or feeling of being jealous