Ordinary – English Lyrics

• By: Alex Warren
• Album: You'll Be Alright, Kid

Lyrics & Translation

Learn English with Alex Warren's hit song "Ordinary," a track that beautifully blends simple, heartfelt language with powerful, evocative metaphors. The song's narrative structure and emotional lyrics offer a unique way to explore themes of love, devotion, and finding the extraordinary in everyday life. Its accessible vocabulary, combined with more complex spiritual allusions, provides a great opportunity for learners to expand their understanding of English in a contemporary pop context.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
fade /feɪd/ B1	verb - to gradually become less visible, audible, or distinct.
masterpiece /ˈmɑːstərpiːs/ C1	noun - a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to turn one's eyes in a specified direction. noun - an act of looking.
ordinary /ˈɔːrdɪnəri/ B1	adjective - with no special or distinctive features or qualities; commonplace.
lay /leɪ/ A2	verb - to put down gently or carefully.
edge /edʒ/ B1	noun - the outside limit of an object, area, or surface.
knife /naɪf/ A2	noun - a tool or weapon with a cutting blade, a handle, and a point.
vine /vaɪn/ B2	noun - a plant with a slender or trailing stem that obtains support from an object or structure.
angel /ˈeɪndʒəl/ B1	noun - a supernatural being regarded as an intermediary between God and the world.
found /faʊnd/ A2	verb - past tense of find - discover unexpectedly.
kiss /kɪs/ A2	verb - press one's lips against (someone's) as a sign of love, reverence, or greeting. noun - an act of kissing.
ground /ɡraʊnd/ A1	noun - the solid surface of the earth.
sanctuary /ˈsæŋktʃuəri/ C1	noun - a place of refuge or safety.
shatter /ˈʃætər/ B2	verb - to break or cause to break suddenly and violently into pieces.
dust /dʌst/ A1	noun - fine particles of matter.
heavenly /ˈhevənli/ B2	adjective - relating to Heaven; divine.
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that makes things visible.
pray /preɪ/ A2	verb - address God or a god in supplication or thanksgiving.
sculptor /ˈskʌlptər/ C1	noun - a person who creates sculptures.
clay /kleɪ/ A2	noun - a soft, earthy material formed from finely ground mineral particles.

Key Grammar Structures

• So if our time is runnin' out

  ➔ Conditional Clause (if)

  ➔ This line uses an 'if' clause to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition: "if our time is runnin' out".

• We'll make the mundane our masterpiece

  ➔ Future Simple (will + base verb)

  ➔ The phrase "We'll make" uses the Future Simple tense to express a future intention or plan based on the preceding condition.

• You're takin' me out of the ordinary

  ➔ Present Continuous (be + -ing) in informal speech

  ➔ "You're takin'" is a contraction of "You are taking," demonstrating the Present Continuous tense used to describe an ongoing action or state.

• I want you layin' me down 'til we're dead and buried

  ➔ Imperative (implied) and Present Participle (-ing) after 'want'

  ➔ While not a direct imperative, "I want you layin'" expresses a strong desire, using the present participle to describe the desired action of the object.

• On the edge of your knife, stayin' drunk on your vine

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase and Present Participle (-ing)

  ➔ This line uses a prepositional phrase "On the edge of your knife" to set a scene, followed by a present participle "stayin'" to describe a continuous state.

• The angels up in the clouds are jealous, knowin' we found

  ➔ Present Participle (-ing) as an adverbial modifier

  ➔ "Knowin'" acts as an adverbial participle phrase, explaining the reason for the angels' jealousy.

• Somethin' so out of the ordinary

  ➔ Adjective Phrase modifying 'Somethin''

  ➔ The phrase "so out of the ordinary" functions as an adjective phrase, describing the nature of "Somethin'".

• You got me kissin' the ground of your sanctuary

  ➔ Causative verb 'get' + object + present participle

  ➔ This structure "got me kissin'" indicates that the subject (you) caused the object (me) to perform the action (kissin').

• Shatter me with your touch, oh Lord, return me to dust

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The verbs "Shatter" and "return" are in the imperative mood, directly commanding or requesting an action.

• World was in black and white until I saw your light

  ➔ Past Simple Tense

  ➔ This sentence uses the Past Simple tense ("was", "saw") to describe completed actions or states in the past.