Man-Sized Wreath – English Lyrics

• By: R.E.M.
• Album: Accelerate

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful critique of "Man-Sized Wreath" by R.E.M. This song offers a brilliant opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to politics, protest, and social commentary. Its direct and impactful lyrics, coupled with R.E.M.'s signature alternative rock sound, make it a compelling piece for understanding nuanced expressions of anger and disillusionment in a musical context. You'll learn how to convey strong opinions and dissect political theatrics through vivid imagery and concise phrasing, making it an excellent track for advanced English learners.

[English]

Turning on the TV and what do I see?

A pageantry of empty gestures all lined up for me, wow

...

I'd have thought by now we would be ready to proceed

But a tearful hymn to tug the heart and a man-sized wreath, ow

...

Throw it on the fire, throw it in the air

Kick it out on the dance-floor like you just don't care, oh

Give me some

Wave the palms, steal the alms, fists in the air

A motorcade up benign shows the people that you care, ow

...

Nature abhors a vacuum but what's between your ears?

Your judgement clouded with fearful thoughts, a headlights and a deer, ow

...

Throw it on the fire, throw it in the air

Kick it out on the dance floor like you just don't care

Look at what I've found, everybody look around

Everybody looking like they just don't care, oh

Give me some

...

Well I'm not deceived by pomp and odious conceit

But a tearful hymn to tug the heart and a man-sized wreath, ow

...

Throw it on the fire, throw it in the air

Kick it out on the dance floor like you just don't care

Look at what I've found, everybody look around

Everybody looking like they just don't care

Throw it on the fire, throw it in the air

Kick it out on the dance floor like you just don't care, oh

Give me some

Give me some

Give me some

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pageantry /ˈpeɪdʒəntri/ C1	noun - an elaborate display or ceremony
gesture /ˈdʒɛstʃər/ B1	noun - a movement of part of the body to express an idea or feeling
tearful /ˈtɪərfəl/ B2	adjective - full of tears; weeping
hymn /hɪm/ B2	noun - a religious song of praise
wreath /riːθ/ B2	noun - a circular arrangement of flowers or foliage, often worn as a decoration
throw /θroʊ/ A1	verb - to propel something through the air by a sudden motion of the arm
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - combustion that produces heat and light verb - to dismiss someone from a job
dance-floor /ˈdæns ˈflɔːr/ B1	noun - the area designated for dancing
care /kɛr/ A1	verb - to feel concern or interest; to look after
wave /weɪv/ A1	verb - to move one’s hand back and forth as a greeting or signal
palm /pɑːm/ A2	noun - the inner surface of the hand
alms /ɑːmz/ B2	noun - charitable giving to the poor
motorcade /ˈmoʊtərˌkeɪd/ C1	noun - a procession of motor vehicles, especially those carrying an important person
benign /bɪˈnaɪn/ C1	adjective - kind, gentle, or harmless
nature /ˈneɪtʃər/ A2	noun - the physical world and its phenomena; the inherent qualities of something
vacuum /ˈvækjuːm/ B1	noun - a space entirely devoid of matter; a vacuum cleaner (device)
judgement /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/ B2	noun - the ability to make considered decisions or form an opinion
fearful /ˈfɪərfəl/ B2	adjective - full of fear; frightened
headlights /ˈhɛdlaɪts/ B1	noun - the lights at the front of a vehicle that illuminate the road
odious /ˈoʊdiəs/ C1	adjective - extremely unpleasant; hateful