Imagine – English Lyrics

• By: John Lennon
• Album: Imagine

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the English lyrics of John Lennon's "Imagine," a song that beautifully articulates a universal desire for peace and unity. Its gentle melody and straightforward yet profound message make it an exceptional piece for language learners, demonstrating how simple language can convey deep philosophical concepts and inspire a shared vision for humanity.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
imagine /ɪˈmædʒɪn/ B1	verb - to form a mental image or concept of
heaven /ˈhevən/ A2	noun - the abode of God, angels, and the blessed dead
hell /hel/ A2	noun - the place of punishment for the wicked after death
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space visible from the earth
people /ˈpiːpl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
living /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ A2	verb - to remain alive noun - the state of being alive
today /təˈdeɪ/ A1	noun - this present day
countries /ˈkʌntriz/ A1	noun - nations with their own governments, occupying a particular territory
kill /kɪl/ A1	verb - to cause the death of (a person, animal, or other living thing)
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - to stop living
religion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ B1	noun - the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - freedom from disturbance; tranquility.
dreamer /ˈdriːmər/ B1	noun - a person who dreams
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
possessions /pəˈzeʃənz/ B2	noun - something owned
need /niːd/ A1	noun - something required or wanted verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important
greed /ɡriːd/ B2	noun - intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.
hunger /ˈhʌŋɡər/ A2	noun - the feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.
brotherhood /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/ B2	noun - the feeling of kinship with and responsibility for other people.
sharing /ˈʃeərɪŋ/ A2	verb - have a portion of (something) with another or others.

Key Grammar Structures

• Imagine there's no heaven

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Present Unreal)

  ➔ The verb form 'there's' (there is) uses the subjunctive to express an unreal or hypothetical situation. The use of "imagine" triggers the subjunctive mood, suggesting a scenario that is not currently true. It is a condensed way of saying 'Imagine *if* there were no heaven.'

• It's easy if you try

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Zero/General Truth)

  ➔ This can be interpreted as a zero conditional. If you "try", it "is easy". This expresses a general truth or a common outcome. The present simple is used in both the 'if' clause and the main clause.

• Living for today...

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective (Reduced Relative Clause)

  ➔ "Living" is a present participle acting as an adjective describing "people" in the previous line (Imagine all the people). It is a shortened version of "Imagine all the people who are living for today."

• It isn't hard to do

  ➔ Subject Complement with 'to-infinitive'

  ➔ "To do" is a 'to-infinitive' acting as the subject complement, explaining what 'it' refers to in this context. The subject is the entire idea of imagining there are no countries.

• You may say I'm a dreamer

  ➔ Modal Verb "may" for Possibility/Permission

  ➔ "May" expresses possibility. It indicates that it's possible the listener will call the speaker a dreamer.

• I hope some day you'll join us

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' (prediction/intention)

  ➔ "'ll join" (you will join) uses the future simple tense with 'will' to express a hope or prediction about a future event. It implies an intention or expectation that the listener will eventually share the speaker's vision.

• And the world will be as one

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' (prediction)

  ➔ "Will be" expresses a prediction or expectation about the future state of the world. It is a statement of belief or hope about a future event.

• I wonder if you can

  ➔ Indirect Question / Noun Clause

  ➔ The clause "if you can" acts as a noun clause, the object of the verb "wonder". The word "if" introduces the indirect question, indicating uncertainty about the listener's ability.