Morning Elvis – English Lyrics

• By: Florence + The Machine, Ethel Cain

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the poignant story behind Florence + The Machine's "Morning Elvis," featuring Ethel Cain. This song delves into themes of addiction, performance, and redemption, offering listeners a chance to explore intense emotions and learn about the power of collaboration in music. Experience the ethereal blend of Welch's and Cain's voices as they convey a message of hope amidst personal struggles.

[English]

When they dressed me and they put me on the plane to Memphis, well

I never got to see Elvis

I just sweated it out in a motel room

But I think the king would have understood

Why I never made it to Graceland

The bathroom tiles were cool against my head

I pressed my forehead to the floor and I prayed for a trapdoor

I've been here many times before

But I've never made it to Graceland

...

If I make it to the morning

I shoulda come with a warning

And if I make it to the stage, I'll show you what it means

To be saved

...

Well, pick me up in New Orleans

Pinned in a bathroom stall

Pick me up above my body

Press my corpse against the wall

I told the band to leave without me

I'll get the next flight and

I'll see you all with Elvis

If I don't survive the night

If I make it to the morning

I shoulda come with a warning

If I make it to the stage, I'll show you what it means

To be saved

...

And after every tour, I swear I'll quit

It's all the boys now, this is it

But the call, it always comes

And songs like children beggin' to be born

But, I guess I got my wish

Anything, anything, anything but this

If I make it to the morning

I shoulda come with a warning

If I make it to the stage, I'll show you what it means

To be saved

Well, you know I'm still afraid

I'm still crazy and I'm still scared

...

But if I make it to the stage, I'll show you what it means

To be spared

To be spared

To be spared

To be spared

...

To be spared

...

Ethel Cain

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the early part of the day
Elvis /ˈelvɪs/ B1	noun - Elvis Presley, the American singer
stage /steɪdʒ/ A2	noun - a raised platform for performances
Graceland /ˈɡreɪslænd/ B2	noun - Elvis Presley's estate
bathroom /ˈbæθruːm/ A1	noun - a room with a toilet and sink, and often a bath or shower
king /kɪŋ/ A1	noun - a male ruler of a country
show /ʃoʊ/ A1	verb - to allow someone to see something noun - a performance
means /miːnz/ B2	noun - what something signifies; the sense or purpose
saved /seɪvd/ B1	verb - rescued from danger
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ A2	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally ill; insane
scared /skerd/ A2	adjective - frightened or alarmed
warning /ˈwɔːrnɪŋ/ A2	noun - a statement or event that indicates a possible danger or problem
tour /tʊr/ B1	noun - a journey for pleasure in which several places are visited
boys /bɔɪz/ A1	noun - male children or young men
call /kɔːl/ A1	noun - a summons or appeal verb - to summon or request
songs /sɔːŋz/ A1	noun - a short piece of music with words
children /ˈtʃɪldrən/ A1	noun - plural of child
born /bɔːrn/ A1	verb - brought into life
wish /wɪʃ/ A1	noun - a desire or hope for something to happen verb - to desire or hope for something

Key Grammar Structures

• When they dressed me and they put me on the plane to Memphis, well

  ➔ Past Simple with 'they' as subject

  ➔ The sentence uses the past simple tense with 'they' as the subject to describe completed actions in the past.

• I think the king would have understood

  ➔ Present Simple with 'think' + would have + past participle

  ➔ This structure expresses a hypothetical or past possibility. 'Would have understood' indicates a past action that was possible but did not happen.

• If I make it to the morning

  ➔ If clause (Type 1) with present simple

  ➔ This is a first conditional sentence, used to talk about real or likely future situations. The 'if' clause uses the present simple, and the main clause uses future with 'will'.

• I shoulda come with a warning

  ➔ Contraction of 'should have' + past participle

  ➔ 'Shoulda' is a colloquial contraction of 'should have,' expressing regret or advice about a past action.

• To be spared

  ➔ Infinitive form used as a complement

  ➔ The infinitive 'to be spared' functions as a complement, describing the state or result of the action in the sentence.