I'll Stand by You – English Lyrics

• By: The Pretenders
• Album: Last of the Independents

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into The Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You," a timeless anthem that encourages emotional resilience and the power of steadfast support. The song's universal themes of love, loyalty, and empathy make it a compelling piece for understanding English song lyrics and expressing profound human connection.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sad /sæd/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy.
tears /tɪrz/ A1	noun - drops of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye as a result of strong emotion.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs that detect light and enable vision.
ashamed /əˈʃeɪmd/ B1	adjective - feeling embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations.
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears.
dark /dɑːrk/ A1	adjective - with little or no light.
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours.
confess /kənˈfes/ B2	verb - admit or state formally that one has committed a crime or done something wrong.
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection or strong liking for someone. noun - an intense feeling of affection.
hurt /hɜːrt/ A2	verb - cause physical pain or injury to. noun - physical injury or pain.
mad /mæd/ A2	adjective - angry; annoyed.
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - to put something out of sight noun - a place of concealment or shelter.
angry /ˈæŋɡri/ A2	adjective - feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
crossroads /ˈkrɔːsroʊdz/ B2	noun - a place where two or more roads intersect.
path /pæθ/ B1	noun - a way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.
wrong /rɔːŋ/ A1	adjective - not correct or true; incorrect.
darkest /ˈdɑːrkɪst/ B1	adjective - with the least or absence of light.
hour /ˈaʊər/ A1	noun - a period of time equal to sixty minutes.
desert /dɪˈzɜːrt/ B2	verb - abandon (someone) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous.
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - having no one else present; lonely.

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, why **do** you look so sad?

  ➔ Auxiliary verb 'do' for emphasis/question formation in present simple.

  ➔ The auxiliary verb "do" is used to form a question in the simple present tense. Although it could be omitted in informal speech, its presence makes the sentence grammatically correct and slightly more emphatic.

• Don't be ashamed **to cry**

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose (to cry) after an adjective (ashamed).

  ➔ The infinitive phrase "to cry" explains the reason or purpose for not being ashamed. It clarifies what someone should not feel ashamed of.

• Let me **see** you through

  ➔ 'Let' + object pronoun + base form of verb (see)' - causative structure.

  ➔ This structure implies that the speaker is offering to help the other person through a difficult situation. "Let" allows the speaker to express permission or an offer to facilitate something for the other person.

• Nothing you confess **could** make me love you less

  ➔ Use of "could" as a conditional, expressing hypothetical possibility. Also uses a double negative for emphasis.

  ➔ "Could" signifies that even if you confessed something, it wouldn't necessarily reduce the speaker's love. The double negative "nothing...less" intensifies the meaning, assuring unconditional love.

• If you're mad, get mad

  ➔ Imperative form to express an encouragement or permission.

  ➔ The repetition of "get mad" in the imperative mood is used to emphasize that it's okay to feel anger and express it, rather than suppressing emotions.

• Hey, what **have** you got to hide?

  ➔ Present perfect tense with 'have got to' expressing obligation or necessity.

  ➔ "Have got to" is an informal equivalent of "have to", and here it implies a gentle urging to reveal something that is being kept secret. It's a less formal way of asking "What do you have to hide?".

• When you're standing at the crossroads And don't know which path **to choose**

  ➔ Infinitive phrase as object of 'know' (which path to choose). Indirect question.

  ➔ The phrase "which path to choose" acts as a noun phrase, representing the thing the person doesn't know. The infinitive "to choose" clarifies the uncertainty.

• Cause even if you're wrong, I'll stand by you

  ➔ Conditional clause introduced by "even if", expressing that something will happen regardless of the condition.

  ➔ "Even if" emphasizes that the speaker's support will remain constant whether the other person makes a mistake or not. It highlights unconditional support and loyalty.