Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love – English Lyrics

• By: Coldplay

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a lyrical journey with Coldplay's "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love." This unique two-part song offers a blend of vibrant, optimistic rock and tender, piano-driven reflection. Learning the lyrics will not only expose you to evocative English phrases related to love, perseverance, and dreams, but also allow you to appreciate Coldplay's ingenious songwriting and instrumentation, including the distinctive tack piano. Its seamless transition from an anthem of hope to a poignant ballad makes it a special and rich experience for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

Lovers, keep on the road you're on

...

Runners, until the race is run

...

Soldiers, you've got to soldier on

...

Sometimes even right is wrong

...

They are turning my head out

To see what I'm all about

Keeping my head down

To see what it feels like now

But I have no doubt

One day, we're gonna get out

...

Tonight maybe we're gonna run

...

Dreaming of the Osaka sun

...

Oh, oh

...

Dreaming of when the morning comes

...

They are turning my head out

To see what I'm all about

Keeping my head down

To see what it feels like now

But I have no doubt

One day the sun will come out

...

Reign of love

I can't let go

To the sea I offer this heavy load

Locusts will lift me up

I'm just a prisoner in a Reign of Love

...

Locusts will let us stop

I wish I'd spoken to the Reign of Love

Reign of Love

By the church, we're waiting

Reign of love

My knees go praying

How I wish I'd spoken up

Or we'd be carried in the Reign of Love

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
lovers /ˈlʌvərz/ B1	noun - people who are in a romantic relationship
road /roʊd/ A2	noun - a paved way for traveling
runners /ˈrʌnərz/ B1	noun - people who run, especially in a race
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition of speed
soldiers /ˈsoʊlʤərz/ B1	noun - members of an army
right /raɪt/ A2	adjective - correct; true
wrong /rɒŋ/ A2	adjective - incorrect; not right
head /hɛd/ A1	noun - the upper part of the body containing the brain
doubt /daʊt/ B2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction
Osaka /oʊˈsɑːkə/ B2	proper noun - city in Japan
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star at the centre of the solar system
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the early part of the day
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection or strong feeling of attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the large body of salt water that covers most of the earth
load /loʊd/ B2	noun - a heavy weight that is carried or borne
locusts /ˈlɒkəsts/ C1	noun - grass‑hopping insects that can form large swarms
prisoner /ˈprɪzənər/ B2	noun - a person who is kept in confinement
church /tʃɜːrtʃ/ A2	noun - a building used for Christian worship
knees /niːz/ A2	noun - the joint between the thigh and the lower leg
praying /preɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - the act of communicating with a deity
carried /ˈkærid/ B2	verb - to be taken or transported from one place to another

Key Grammar Structures

• Lovers, keep on the road you're on

  ➔ Imperative mood, present continuous used as imperative

  ➔ The sentence uses the imperative mood to directly address "Lovers" and tell them to continue their path. "Keep on" functions as a command. The phrase 'you're on' is a shortened form of 'you are on the road'.

• Sometimes even right is wrong

  ➔ Subjunctive mood implied, philosophical statement

  ➔ This sentence presents a paradoxical idea. The word "even" emphasizes the surprising nature of the statement. It suggests that morality isn't always straightforward and that good intentions can sometimes lead to negative consequences. The structure implies a hypothetical situation.

• Reign of love

  ➔ Noun phrase functioning as a title/theme, metaphorical use of 'reign'

  ➔ "Reign of love" is a metaphorical phrase. 'Reign' typically refers to the period of a monarch's rule. Here, it suggests that love is a dominant, all-encompassing force, like a ruling power.

• Locusts will lift me up

  ➔ Future simple with modal auxiliary 'will', metaphorical use of 'locusts'

  ➔ This line is highly symbolic. Locusts are typically associated with destruction and plagues. Here, they are presented as a force that *lifts* the speaker up, suggesting a paradoxical salvation or a destructive force that paradoxically elevates. 'Will' indicates a future event.