Heal – English Lyrics

• By: Tom Odell

Lyrics & Translation

If you're seeking to learn the English language through emotive, heartfelt lyrics, Tom Odell's 'Heal' is a perfect choice. The song’s powerful, yet straightforward language uses clear metaphors—like an 'empty bottle takes the rain'—to express deep emotional states like pain, loneliness, and the yearning for hope. Its slow, deliberate pace and universal message of resilience make it easy to follow and connect with, offering a beautiful insight into expressing vulnerability in English.

[English]

Take my mind and take my pain

Like an empty bottle takes the rain

And heal, heal, heal, heal

And take my past and take my sins

Like an empty sail takes the wind

And heal, heal, heal, heal

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

...

Take my heart and take my hand

Like an ocean takes the dirty sand

And heal, heal, heal, heal

And take my mind and take my pain

Like an empty bottle takes the rain

And heal, heal, heal, heal

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

And tell me some things last

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
take /teɪk/ A2	verb - to get into one's hands or possession verb - to accept or receive
heal /hiːl/ B1	verb - to make healthy again
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
sails /seɪlz/ B2	noun - large pieces of fabric on a boat
wind /wɪnd/ B1	noun - movement of air
healing /ˈhiːlɪŋ/ C1	noun - the process of making healthy again
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - organ that pumps blood
mind /maɪnd/ B1	noun - the part of a person that thinks and reasons
last /læst/ A2	verb - to continue for a period of time adjective - remaining or enduring

Key Grammar Structures

• Take my mind and take my pain

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The verb 'take' is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or request.

• Like an empty bottle takes the rain

  ➔ Simile

  ➔ The phrase uses 'like' to compare the action of taking pain to an empty bottle taking rain.

• And heal, heal, heal, heal

  ➔ Verbal Repetition

  ➔ The verb 'heal' is repeated for emphasis and rhythmic effect.

• And tell me some things last

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ The verb 'tell' is in the subjunctive mood, expressing a wish or request.

• Like an ocean takes the dirty sand

  ➔ Simile

  ➔ Another simile using 'like' to compare taking the heart and hand to an ocean taking dirty sand.