I Always Wanted a Brother – English Lyrics

• By: Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
• Album: Mufasa: The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the heartfelt connection between Mufasa and Taka in "I Always Wanted a Brother." This song, penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Mufasa: The Lion King, offers a unique opportunity to explore themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the complexities of familial relationships. Learn how the song captures the innocence of childhood and the evolution of these bonds into adulthood.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
king /kɪŋ/ A1	noun - a male ruler of a country
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A1	noun - a male sibling
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - to conceal oneself noun - animal skin
mama /ˈmɑːmə/ A1	noun - mother
father /ˈfɑːðər/ A1	noun - male parent
brightest /ˈbraɪtɪst/ B2	adjective - most luminous, emitting or reflecting the most light
star /stɑːr/ A1	noun - a celestial body
tree /triː/ A1	noun - a woody perennial plant
birds /bɜːrdz/ A1	noun - avian creatures
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth
prey /preɪ/ B2	noun - an animal hunted or killed by another for food verb - hunt and kill for food
chase /tʃeɪs/ A2	verb - to pursue noun - act of pursuing
learn /lɜːrn/ A1	verb - to gain knowledge or skill
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front of the head verb - to confront
remember /rɪˈmembər/ A2	verb - to recall something
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition to see who is fastest verb - to compete in a race

Key Grammar Structures

• I thought you said you were fast?

  ➔ Past Simple in Reported Speech

  ➔ The verb "said" introduces reported speech, shifting "you are fast" to "you *were* fast."

• Let's get in some trouble!

  ➔ "Let's" followed by base form of the verb (imperative)

  ➔ "Let's" is a contraction of "let us" and is used to make a suggestion or invitation. "Get in" is a phrasal verb.

• No other animal will break my stride

  ➔ Future Simple with "will" (prediction/determination)

  ➔ "Will break" expresses a future action that the speaker is determined to happen. "No other animal" uses negative concord to create emphasis.

• Our prey may run away but they can't hide

  ➔ Modal verbs "may" (possibility) and "can't" (impossibility)

  ➔ "May run away" indicates a possibility, while "can't hide" expresses something that is not possible.

• Did your mama say you could be up this late?

  ➔ Past Simple "did" in question form for asking about permission.

  ➔ The use of "did" indicates a question about a past event (the mother's statement). "Could" is used as the past form of "can" to inquire about permission.

• I always wanted a brother just like you

  ➔ Past Simple with "always" expressing a long-term desire.

  ➔ "Wanted" in the past simple expresses a desire that existed in the past, and "always" indicates that it was a consistent desire.

• Some things you chase but you cannot hold

  ➔ Conjunction "but" contrasting two clauses. Modal verb "cannot" expressing inability.

  ➔ "But" connects two contrasting ideas: chasing something and not being able to hold it. "Cannot hold" indicates an inability to maintain possession.

• I heard his father say he doesn't want this stray

  ➔ Reported Speech with Present Simple Negative ("doesn't want")

  ➔ "Heard" introduces reported speech. Since the original statement implies a general truth or present state, the present simple tense "doesn't want" is used in the reported clause.