Hells Bells – English Lyrics

• By: AC/DC

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy and poignant history of AC/DC's "Hells Bells." This legendary track opens with the chilling sound of a real bell, setting a dramatic tone that encapsulates the band's resilience and tribute to their former frontman, Bon Scott. Through its powerful lyrics and driving rock 'n' roll, you can explore themes of defiance, fate, and the raw emotion of hard rock, making it a perfect song to connect with the passion and unique storytelling of English rock music.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
bell /bɛl/ A2	noun - a hollow device that makes a ringing sound when struck
thunder /ˈθʌn.dər/ B1	noun - the loud sound that follows lightning during storms
lightning /ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ/ B2	noun - a flash of bright light in the sky during a storm
prisoners /ˈprɪz.ə.nərz/ B2	noun - people who are kept in prison
fight /faɪt/ A2	noun - a physical struggle or combat verb - to engage in physical combat
hell /hɛl/ A1	noun - a place of suffering in many religions
get /ɡɛt/ A2	verb - to obtain or receive
ringing /ˈrɪŋ.ɪŋ/ B2	verb - making a continuous high-pitched sound
high /haɪ/ A2	adjective - having a large distance from bottom to top
black /blæk/ A1	adjective - the darkest color
white /waɪt/ A1	adjective - the color of snow
night /naɪt/ A2	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm a rolling thunder, pouring rain

  ➔ Present Continuous as Noun Modifier

  ➔ Using the present continuous ("rolling", "pouring") as adjectives to describe "thunder" and "rain". This emphasizes the ongoing and dynamic nature of the storm.

• You're only young, but you're gonna die

  ➔ Future with "gonna" and contrasting conjunction "but"

  ➔ "gonna" is an informal contraction of "going to", indicating future tense. "But" creates a contrast between youth and the inevitability of death.

• I won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives

  ➔ Double Negative (Non-Standard)

  ➔ The double negative ("won't take no prisoners", "won't spare no lives") is used for emphasis, although grammatically incorrect in standard English. It intensifies the statement of ruthlessness.

• I got my bell, I'm gonna take you to hell

  ➔ Informal Contraction and Future Intention

  ➔ "got" (instead of "have got") is informal, and "gonna" expresses a strong future intention. This highlights a casual yet forceful determination.

• If you're into evil, you're a friend of mine

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1) with colloquial expression

  ➔ "If" clause expressing a condition. "Into" is a colloquial way of saying "interested in". It conveys a lighthearted acceptance of wickedness.

• Cause if good's on the left, then I'm sticking to the right

  ➔ Ellipsis, Conditional Sentence (Type 1) and Idiomatic Phrase

  ➔ "Cause" is a shortened form of "because". The conditional sentence is Type 1 (real possibility). "Sticking to the right" is an idiom implying loyalty to a side, often with a negative connotation here.

• Hell's bells, Satan's coming to you

  ➔ Possessive Case and Present Continuous (Approaching Future)

  ➔ "Hell's bells" uses the possessive 's, indicating that the bells belong to hell. "Satan's coming" uses the present continuous to imply an imminent future event.