Never Give Up – English Lyrics

• By: Sia
• Album: LION (movie)

Lyrics & Translation

Sia's "Never Give Up" offers a compelling and emotionally charged experience that makes it an excellent choice for language learners. Its clear, powerful vocals and uplifting message about perseverance through struggles make the lyrics highly accessible and memorable. The song's blend of electropop with Indian musical influences also provides a unique cultural touch, making the learning process more engaging and special. By focusing on themes of strength and overcoming challenges, the song not only helps with vocabulary and listening comprehension but also provides a motivational boost, encouraging learners to "never give up" on their language journey.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
battle /ˈbætl/ B2	noun - a sustained fight between organized armed forces verb - fight or struggle tenaciously to achieve or resist something
demon /ˈdiːmən/ B2	noun - an evil spirit or devil
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to be in a state of rest when your eyes are closed, your body is inactive, and your mind is unconscious noun - a condition of body and mind ... rest
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses
abandon /əˈbændən/ B2	verb - to give up completely
give /ɡɪv/ A1	verb - to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - toward or in a lower place or position, especially to or on the ground adjective - feeling sad or depressed
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives permanently
haunted /ˈhɔːntɪd/ B2	adjective - frequented by ghosts verb - (of a ghost) to appear or be present in (a place) regularly
distant /ˈdɪstənt/ B1	adjective - far away in space or time
past /pæst/ A2	noun - the time before the present
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
overcast /ˌoʊvərˈkæst/ B2	adjective - covered with clouds; dull

Key Grammar Structures

• I've battled demons that won't let me sleep

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense; Relative Clause

  ➔ "I've battled" uses the Present Perfect to express an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. "that won't let me sleep" is a relative clause defining which demons are being referred to.

• Called to the sea but she abandoned me

  ➔ Passive Voice (implied); Conjunction 'but'

  ➔ "Called to the sea" implies "I was called to the sea" - a passive construction where the agent is omitted. "but" connects two contrasting ideas.

• I won't never give up, no, never give up, no, no

  ➔ Double Negative (non-standard)

  ➔ The phrase "I won't never give up" contains a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard English. However, it's used for emphasis in this context, intending to strongly convey the message of not giving up. This is a stylistic choice for the song.

• I won't let you get me down

  ➔ Causative Verb ('let')

  ➔ "Let" is used as a causative verb, meaning "allow" or "permit." The structure is "let + object + base form of verb."

• I'll keep gettin' up when I hit the ground

  ➔ Future Tense ('I'll'); Continuous Aspect ('keep getting'); 'when' Clause

  ➔ "I'll keep getting up" expresses a future action (getting up) that will continue to happen. "when I hit the ground" is a subordinate clause indicating the condition for the main clause.

• I'll find my way, find my way home, oh, oh, oh

  ➔ Future Tense ('I'll'); Repetition for Emphasis

  ➔ "I'll find my way" uses the future tense to express a determination to find a way. Repeating "find my way home" emphasizes the importance of this goal.

• Called to the skies but she was she overcast

  ➔ Passive Voice (implied); Pronoun reference ambiguity

  ➔ "Called to the skies" implies "I was called to the skies", similar to the previous example. "she" is ambiguous. Does "she" refer to the skies?