In the Navy – English Lyrics

• By: Village People
• Album: Go West

Lyrics & Translation

Learn English through the energetic and iconic disco hit "In the Navy" by Village People! This song is a fantastic way to pick up vocabulary related to adventure, the military, and travel. Its catchy chorus and clear lyrics make it easy to sing along and improve your pronunciation. What makes this song special is its unique history as a collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the playful double entendres that sparked public debate, offering a glimpse into late 1970s pop culture.

[English]

Where can you find pleasure

Search the world for treasure

Learn science technology

Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true

On the land or on the sea

Where can you learn to fly

Play in sports and skin dive

Study oceanography

Sign up for the big band

Or sit in the grandstand

When your team and others meet

In the navy

Yes, you can sail the seven seas

In the navy

Yes, you can put your mind at ease

In the navy

Come on now, people, make a stand

In the navy, in the navy

Can't you see we need a hand

In the navy

Come on, protect the mother land

In the navy

Come on and join your fellow man

In the navy

Come on people, and make a stand

In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you

They want you as a new recruit

If you like adventure

Don't you wait to enter

The recruiting office fast

Don't you hesitate

There is no need to wait

They're signing up new seamen fast

Maybe you are too young

To join up today

Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing

For I'm sure there will be

Always a good navy

Protecting the land and sea

In the navy

Yes, you can sail the seven seas

In the navy

Yes, you can put your mind at ease

In the navy

Come on be bold and make a stand

In the navy, in the navy

Can't you see we need a hand

In the navy

Come on, protect the motherland

In the navy

Come on and join your fellow man

In the navy

Come on be bold and make a stand

In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)

They want you, they want you

They want you as a new recruit

Who me?

They want you, they want you

They want you as a new recruit

But, but, but, I'm afraid of water.

Hey, hey look

Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on the TV!

They want you, they want you in the navy

Oh my goodness.

What am I gonna do in a submarine?

They want you, they want you in the navy

In the navy

Yes, you can sail the seven seas

In the navy

Yes, you can put your mind at ease

In the navy

Come on be bold and make a stand

In the navy, in the navy

Can't you see we need a hand

In the navy

Come protect the motherland

In the navy

Come on and join your fellow man

In the navy

Come on be bold and make a stand

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pleasure /ˈpleʒər/ B1	noun - a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment.
treasure /ˈtreʒər/ B1	noun - valuable or precious possessions.
science /ˈsaɪəns/ A2	noun - the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
technology /tekˈnɒlədʒi/ B1	noun - the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
dreams /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its land masses.
land /lænd/ A1	noun - the part of the earth's surface that is not permanently covered by water.
fly /flaɪ/ A2	verb - move through the air using wings.
sports /spɔːrts/ A2	noun - an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
study /ˈstʌdi/ A1	verb - devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge on (a subject or subjects), especially by means of books.
oceanography /ˌəʊʃənˈɒɡrəfi/ C1	noun - the branch of science that deals with the physical and biological properties and phenomena of the sea.
navy /ˈneɪvi/ A2	noun - the branch of a nation's armed services that conducts military operations at sea.
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - travel in a boat or ship using sails or engine power.
recruit /rɪˈkruːt/ B2	noun - a newly enlisted member of the armed forces. verb - enlist (someone) in the armed forces.
adventure /ədˈventʃər/ B1	noun - an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.
protect /prəˈtekt/ B1	verb - keep safe from harm or injury.
bold /boʊld/ B2	adjective - (of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.
submarine /ˌsʌbməˈriːn/ B1	noun - a warship with the ability to travel underwater.
seasick /ˈsiːsɪk/ B2	adjective - feeling nausea due to the motion of a boat or ship.

Key Grammar Structures

• Where "can" you find pleasure

  ➔ Inversion with Modal Verbs

  ➔ The typical sentence structure is Subject + Verb (You can find...). In questions with modal verbs like "can", we invert the order to Can + Subject + Verb (Can you find?). This is a standard way to form questions.

• Where "can" you begin to make your dreams all come true

  ➔ Modal Verb 'Can' for Ability/Possibility with Infinitive 'to make'

  ➔ "Can" expresses the ability or possibility of beginning something. It's followed by the infinitive form "to make".

• Yes, you "can" sail the seven seas

  ➔ Modal Verb 'Can' expressing possibility

  ➔ "Can" here expresses the possibility or ability to sail the seven seas. It indicates that it is within someone's reach or potential.

• Come on now, people, "make" a stand

  ➔ Imperative Verb 'Make'

  ➔ "Make" is used in the imperative form to give a command or instruction. It encourages people to take action and stand up for something.

• Can't you see "we need" a hand

  ➔ Present Simple 'We need' for a general truth or current situation

  ➔ The present simple "we need" expresses a general need or a current state of affairs. It suggests that there is a present requirement for assistance.

• Don't you wait "to enter" the recruiting office fast

  ➔ Negative Imperative 'Don't wait' + Infinitive of Purpose 'to enter'

  ➔ "Don't wait" is a negative command instructing someone not to delay. "To enter" explains the purpose of not waiting - to quickly join the recruiting office.

• Maybe you "are" too young To join up today

  ➔ Present Simple 'Are' to describe a current state.

  ➔ 'Are' is a form of the verb 'to be', and here it is used to describe the current state of the person being addressed, specifically, their age.

• I'm afraid "of water"

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase 'of water' as an object complement.

  ➔ The phrase 'of water' clarifies the object of the fear. It completes the meaning of the sentence by specifying what the subject is afraid of.