My Once Upon a Time – English Lyrics

• By: Dove Cameron
• Album: Descendants 3 (soundtrack)

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the emotive power of English storytelling through Dove Cameron's performance. This song is an excellent resource for learners to practice clear, dramatic enunciation and learn emotive vocabulary related to personal growth and decision-making.

[English]

Here you are alone, and you deserve it

Your friends have turned to stone, and that's on you

You had a cause to serve, but did you serve it?

Or did you see yourself in a way that wasn't true?

Why tell all those lies? You feel unworthy

Like there isn't solid ground for you to stand

But a stack of lies is not a firm foundation

You cannot build a castle on a mountain made of sand

This is not your father's fairytale

And, no, it's not your mother's fault you fail

So when your story comes to light

Make sure the story that they write

Goes, "Once upon a time, she fought a dragon

Once upon a time, that beast was me

Once upon a misspent youth, she faced herself, she spoke the truth"

That's how I see my once upon a time this time

Life is not a storybook, but life unfolds in chapters

Turn the page and start to make amends

There's no prewritten guarantee of happy ever after

Step into your greatness before your story ends

So when your story ends, they'll say

"Once upon a time, a girl flew higher

Once upon a time, she made things right

Once upon a tie that binds

She changed her heart to change their minds"

That's got to be my once upon a time

This once upon a time

I'll finally see my once upon a time this time

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - separate, apart, or isolated from others
deserve /dɪˈzɜːrv/ B1	verb - to do something or have or show qualities worthy of reward or punishment
cause /kɔːz/ B1	noun - a principle, aim, or movement that because of a deep commitment one is prepared to defend or advocate
unworthy /ʌnˈwɜːrði/ B2	adjective - not deserving respect, attention, or effort
solid /ˈsɑːlɪd/ B1	adjective - firm and stable in shape; not liquid or gas
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A2	noun - the solid surface of the earth
stack /stæk/ B2	noun - a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged
foundation /faʊnˈdeɪʃn/ B1	noun - the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level
castle /ˈkæsl/ A2	noun - a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many instances a moat
mountain /ˈmaʊntn/ A1	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level
fault /fɔːlt/ B1	noun - responsibility for an accident or unfortunate event
dragon /ˈdræɡən/ B1	noun - a mythical monster like a giant reptile
beast /biːst/ B2	noun - an animal, especially a large or dangerous four-footed one
misspent /ˌmɪsˈspent/ C1	adjective - (of time, money, or effort) spent badly or foolishly
youth /juːθ/ B1	noun - the period between childhood and old age
amends /əˈmendz/ C1	noun - compensations for a wrong done
guarantee /ˌɡærənˈtiː/ B2	noun - a promise or assurance, especially that certain conditions shall be fulfilled
greatness /ˈɡreɪt.nəs/ B2	noun - the quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent