Lyrics & Translation
Learning a language becomes a revolutionary act with Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the Name.' This song offers a powerful entry point into English through its raw, repetitive, and politically charged lyrics. By engaging with its direct and uncensored message against injustice, you'll not only expand your vocabulary but also gain insight into a pivotal moment in American history and the universal language of protest.
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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killing /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ B1 |
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name /neɪm/ A1 |
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work /wɜːrk/ A1 |
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forces /ˈfɔːrsɪz/ B1 |
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burn /bɜːrn/ A2 |
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crosses /ˈkrɔːsɪz/ A2 |
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told /toʊld/ A1 |
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died /daɪd/ A2 |
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justified /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪd/ B2 |
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badge /bædʒ/ B1 |
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chosen /ˈtʃoʊzn/ B2 |
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whites /waɪts/ B1 |
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control /kənˈtroʊl/ B1 |
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tell /tel/ A1 |
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Key Grammar Structures
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Killing in the name of
➔ Present participle as a noun phrase
➔ The word "killing" is used as a noun, referring to the act of killing. It's a shortened title meaning "Killing in the name of [something]".
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Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
➔ Relative Clause with "that"
➔ "that work forces" is a relative clause modifying "those". It identifies which "some" the speaker is referring to. The phrase "the same that burn crosses" indicates the shared identity or characteristic between the two groups.
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And now you do what they told ya
➔ Imperative implication and reported command
➔ The sentence implies a past command. "told ya" is informal for "told you". The repetition emphasizes the obedience and loss of autonomy.
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Those who died are justified for wearing the badge
➔ Passive voice with relative clause
➔ "Those who died" is a noun phrase modified by the relative clause "who died". The sentence uses the passive voice ("are justified") to emphasize that the act of justifying is done *to* the dead, implying by an external force or system.
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You justify those that died by wearing the badge
➔ Transitive Verb with prepositional phrase
➔ The transitive verb "justify" takes "those that died" as its direct object. The prepositional phrase "by wearing the badge" explains *how* the justification is done.
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Now you're under control
➔ State verb with prepositional phrase indicating condition.
➔ "Are" is a state verb, and "under control" is a prepositional phrase showing your current situation or state.
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Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
➔ Complex sentence with negation and embedded clause.
➔ The sentence is a refusal. "I won't do" is the negative form of "I will do". "What you tell me" is a noun clause acting as the object of "do".
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