Ode to Viceroy – English Lyrics

• By: Mac DeMarco
• Album: 2

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Mac DeMarco's "Ode to Viceroy" and discover how a simple song about cigarettes can reveal deeper truths about addiction and comfort. With its laid-back style and relatable lyrics, this track offers a unique glimpse into DeMarco's world, perfect for understanding the nuances of slacker rock and introspective songwriting.

[English]

Viceroy

Early in the morning

Just tryna let the sun in

And open up my eyes

...

Viceroy

As it's getting later

Heading for the corner

Already running dry

...

And oh, don't let me see you cryin'

...

'Cause oh, honey, I'll smoke you 'til I'm dyin'

...

Viceroy

Don't take me for a fool now

I'm only tryna calm down

Just tryna keep it cool

...

Viceroy

As it's getting later

Heading for the corner

I'm leaving it to you

...

And oh, don't let me see you cryin'

...

'Cause oh, honey, I'll smoke you 'til I'm dyin'

...

There really is nothing quite like you

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Viceroy /ˈvaɪs.rɔɪ/ C1	noun - a governor or ruler representing a monarch
morning /ˈmɔː.nɪŋ/ A1	noun - the early part of the day
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to Earth
open /ˈoʊ.pən/ A1	verb - to move something to create an entrance or reveal something
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs for seeing
later /ˈleɪ.t̬ɚ/ A1	adverb - at a time after the present
heading /ˈhɛd.ɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move in a particular direction
corner /ˈkɔː.nɚ/ A1	noun - the point where two lines meet
running /ˈrʌn.ɪŋ/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
dry /draɪ/ A1	adjective - free from moisture
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears, often due to emotion
smoke /smoʊk/ A2	verb - to inhale and exhale the fumes of tobacco
fool /fuːl/ A2	noun - a person who acts foolishly
calm /kæm/ A2	adjective - not excited or nervous
cool /kuːl/ A1	adjective - slightly cold; calm and relaxed
leave /liv/ A1	verb - to go away from a place
honey /ˈhʌn.i/ A1	noun - a sweet sticky substance made by bees noun - a term of endearment
dying /ˈdaɪ.ɪŋ/ A2	verb - to cease living

Key Grammar Structures

• Just tryna let the sun in

  ➔ Causative Verb "let" + Object + Bare Infinitive

  ➔ "let" is a causative verb, meaning to allow or permit. It is followed by an object ("the sun") and then the base form of another verb (bare infinitive) without "to" ("in" implies "come in").

• As it's getting later

  ➔ "As" as a Conjunction of Time + Present Continuous for Gradual Change

  ➔ "As" here means "while" or "at the same time that". "It's getting later" uses the present continuous tense with "get" + adjective to describe a gradual change or development.

• And oh, don't let me see you cryin'

  ➔ Verb of Perception + Object + Present Participle (V-ing)

  ➔ Verbs of perception like "see", "hear", "watch", "feel" can be followed by an object ("you") and then a present participle ("cryin'") to indicate that the action is ongoing or incomplete.

• 'Cause oh, honey, I'll smoke you 'til I'm dyin'

  ➔ Future Simple (will) for Determination/Prediction + Conjunction "until"

  ➔ "I'll smoke" uses the future simple with "will" to express a strong intention or prediction. "Until" is a conjunction indicating a point in time when an action stops or a state changes.

• Don't take me for a fool now

  ➔ Idiomatic Expression "take someone for something" + Negative Imperative

  ➔ The phrase "take someone for something" means to mistake someone for something, or to believe someone is a certain way (often negatively). "Don't take" is a negative imperative, giving a command not to do something.

• I'm only tryna calm down

  ➔ Present Continuous (informal "tryna") + Phrasal Verb "calm down"

  ➔ "I'm tryna" is an informal contraction of "I am trying to", indicating an ongoing action in the present. "Calm down" is a phrasal verb meaning to become less agitated or to make someone less agitated.

• Just tryna keep it cool

  ➔ Verb "keep" + Object + Adjective Complement

  ➔ The verb "keep" can be followed by an object ("it") and then an adjective ("cool") that describes the state of the object. Here, "cool" describes "it" (the situation/oneself).

• There really is nothing quite like you

  ➔ "There is/are" construction + Intensifier "quite" + Preposition "like"

  ➔ "There is" introduces the existence of something. "Nothing" means not a single thing. "Quite" is an intensifier meaning "to a considerable extent" or "completely" in this context (nothing *at all* like you). "Like" is used as a preposition for comparison.