If It Be Your Will – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: Various Positions

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the profound beauty of Leonard Cohen's 'If It Be Your Will,' a song that transcends language with its universal themes of surrender and faith. Exploring the poetic depth of this modern psalm offers a unique opportunity to connect with the English language on a spiritual and emotional level. The song's simple yet powerful lyrics make it an accessible and deeply rewarding piece for language learners to explore the nuances of expression in both music and prayer.

[English]

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ That I speak no more ♪

♪ And my voice be still ♪

♪ As it was before ♪

♪ I will speak no more ♪

♪ I shall abide until ♪

♪ I am spoken for ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ That a voice be true ♪

♪ From this broken hill ♪

♪ I will sing to you ♪

♪ From this broken hill ♪

♪ All your praises they shall ring ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ To let me sing ♪

♪

♪ From this broken hill ♪

♪ All your praises they shall ring ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ To let me sing ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ If there is a choice ♪

♪ Let the rivers fill ♪

♪ Let the hills rejoice ♪

♪ Let your mercy spill ♪

♪ On all these burning hearts in hell ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ To make us well ♪

♪ And draw us near ♪

♪ And bind us tight ♪

♪ All your children here ♪

♪ In their rags of light ♪

♪ In our rags of light ♪

♪ All dressed to kill ♪

♪ And end this night ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

♪ If it be your will ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
will /wɪl/ B1	noun - the power of choosing or determining; a desire or intention; a formal expression of one's wishes.
speak /spiːk/ A1	verb - to say words; to express thoughts, feelings, or ideas by talking.
voice /vɔɪs/ A1	noun - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song.
still /stɪl/ A2	adjective - not moving or making a sound; quiet and calm.
abide /əˈbaɪd/ B2	verb - to remain or stay; to wait patiently for; to tolerate or put up with.
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ A2	adjective - separated into pieces; damaged or no longer working; emotionally shattered.
hill /hɪl/ A1	noun - a naturally raised area of land, smaller than a mountain.
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - to make musical sounds with the voice, especially words with a set tune.
praises /ˈpreɪzɪz/ B1	noun - expressions of approval or admiration; words of worship or adoration, especially for God or a deity.
ring /rɪŋ/ B1	verb - to make a clear, resonant sound, as a bell or a vibrating object; to resonate with sound.
choice /tʃɔɪs/ A2	noun - an act of choosing between two or more possibilities; the opportunity or power to choose.
rejoice /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/ B2	verb - to feel or show great joy or delight.
mercy /ˈmɜːrsi/ B2	noun - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm; a benevolent act.
spill /spɪl/ B1	verb - to cause or allow (liquid) to flow over the edge of its container, especially unintentionally; to let something flow out.
burning /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/ B1	adjective - on fire; producing heat or light; intensely hot or passionate, often indicating strong emotion or suffering.
hearts /hɑːrts/ A1	noun - the muscular organ that pumps blood through the body; (metaphorically) the center of emotion, affection, or courage.
hell /hel/ B1	noun - a place of torment and punishment in the afterlife; a state or place of great suffering or chaos.
bind /baɪnd/ B1	verb - to tie or fasten (something) tightly; to unite or cause to feel united.
rags /ræɡz/ B2	noun - old, torn, or worn-out pieces of cloth; tattered clothing; (metaphorically) something humble or in poor condition.
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible; illumination; spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.