Going In Circles

• By: The Friends Of Distinction
• Album: The Best Of Friends Of Distinction

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
wheel /wiːl/ A1	noun - a circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground
destination /ˌdestɪˈneɪʃn/ B2	noun - the place to which someone or something is going or being sent
top /tɒp/ A1	noun - the highest part or surface of something
spinning /ˈspɪnɪŋ/ B1	verb - turning or whirling rapidly
whirling /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/ B2	verb - moving rapidly round and round
drop /drɒp/ A2	verb - to let or make (something) fall vertically
mind /maɪnd/ A1	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought
whirlpool /ˈwɜːrlpuːl/ B2	noun - a rapidly rotating mass of water in a river or sea into which objects may be drawn
hope /həʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
cling /klɪŋ/ B2	verb - to hold on tightly to
circles /ˈsɜːrklz/ A1	noun - round plane figures whose boundary consists of points equidistant from the centre
spun /spʌn/ B2	verb - past participle of spin; to turn or cause to turn or whirl around quickly
faceless /ˈfeɪsləs/ B2	adjective - without a face; anonymous.
clock /klɒk/ A1	noun - an instrument for measuring and showing time
timeless /ˈtaɪmləs/ B2	adjective - not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion.
soul /səʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.

Grammar:

• I'm an ever rollin' wheel, without a destination real

  ➔ Present participle as adjective ('rollin')

  ➔ The word "rollin'" is a present participle being used as an adjective to describe the "wheel". It implies continuous action. The omission of the 'g' is colloquial.

• I'm an ever spinning top, whirling around 'til I drop

  ➔ Contraction ('til) and present participle as adjective ('spinning', 'whirling')

  ➔ "Til" is a contraction of "until". "Spinning" and "whirling" function as adjectives modifying "top". The sentence showcases informal language through the contraction.

• Oh, but what am I to do, my mind is in a whirlpool

  ➔ Modal verb ('am to do') indicating obligation or a lack of choice.

  ➔ The structure "am to do" (similar to "is/are to do") implies a sense of necessity or predetermined course of action, often used when someone feels helpless or without options.

• Give me a little hope, one small thing to cling to

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose ('to cling to')

  ➔ The infinitive phrase "to cling to" explains the purpose or reason for wanting "one small thing". It shows the intended use of the small thing – for support and stability.

• You got me going in circles (oh round and round I go)

  ➔ Causative 'got' + object + present participle ('going')

  ➔ The structure "got me going" means "caused me to go". It indicates that the subject (You) is the reason the speaker is "going in circles". This construction is colloquial.

• I'm spun out over you (over you, over you, over you, over you)

  ➔ Past participle as adjective ('spun out') and prepositional phrase ('over you')

  ➔ "Spun out" is a past participle acting as an adjective, describing the speaker's state (overwhelmed, confused). "Over you" is a prepositional phrase showing the cause of that state. The repetition emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

• Lord, but I feel that way, of my soul

  ➔ Ellipsis (omission of words) and vague prepositional phrase ('of my soul').

  ➔ The sentence is grammatically incomplete and relies on the listener to infer the missing words. It is likely meant to be something like 'Lord, but I feel that way, *deep within* my soul.' The prepositional phrase 'of my soul' is also vague, hinting at a feeling deep within the speaker's being but not explicitly defined.