John the Revelator – English Lyrics

• By: Depeche Mode

Lyrics & Translation

Learning English through Depeche Mode's "John the Revelator" offers a unique opportunity to explore complex themes and sophisticated vocabulary. The song's lyrics challenge traditional narratives, providing a rich context for understanding figurative language and critical thinking. Its powerful rhythm and clear enunciation also make it an engaging tool for improving listening skills and pronunciation.

[English]

John the Revelator put him in an elevator

Take him up to the highest high

Take him up to the top where the mountains stop

Let him tell his book of lies

John the Revelator he's a smooth operator

It's time we cut him down to size

Take him by the hand

And put him on the stand

Let us hear his alibis

By claiming God as his holy right

He's stealing a God from the Israelite

Stealing a God from a Muslim, too

There is only one God through and through

Seven lies, multiplied by seven

Multiplied by seven again

Seven angels with seven trumpets

Send them home on the morning train

Well who's that shouting? John the Revelator

All he ever gives us is pain

Well who's that shouting? John the Revelator

He should bow his head in shame

By and by, by and by

By and by, by and by

Seven lies, multiplied by seven

Multiplied by seven again

Seven angels with seven trumpets

Send them home on the morning train

Well who's that shouting? John the Revelator

All he ever gives us is pain

Well who's that shouting? John the Revelator

He should bow his head in shame

By and by, by and by, John the Revelator

By and by, John the Revelator

By and by, John the Revelator

...

Key Grammar Structures

• John the Revelator put him in an elevator

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ The verb ""put"" is in the simple past tense, showing a completed action.

• Take him up to the highest high

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The base verb ""Take"" at the beginning creates an imperative, giving a command.

• Let him tell his book of lies

  ➔ Causative verb “let” + bare infinitive

  ➔ The verb ""Let"" functions as a causative, followed by the bare infinitive ""tell"".

• He's a smooth operator

  ➔ Present simple (be + predicate noun)

  ➔ The contraction ""He's"" = "He is" uses the present simple to describe a permanent state.

• It's time we cut him down to size

  ➔ "It’s time" + past simple (suggestion)

  ➔ After "It’s time", the verb ""cut"" appears in the past simple to express a recommendation.

• Let us hear his alibis

  ➔ "Let us" + base verb (suggestion/invitation)

  ➔ The phrase ""Let us"" introduces a polite suggestion, followed by the base verb ""hear"".

• By claiming God as his holy right

  ➔ Preposition "by" + gerund (gerund phrase as adverbial)

  ➔ The preposition ""by"" is followed by the gerund ""claiming"", forming an adverbial phrase.

• He should bow his head in shame

  ➔ Modal verb “should” + base verb (obligation/advice)

  ➔ The modal ""should"" expresses advice or expectation, followed by the base verb ""bow"".