Patience – English Lyrics

• By: Guns N' Roses
• Album: G N' R Lies

Lyrics & Translation

'Patience' offers a unique opportunity to explore a softer, more emotional side of the English language through music. The lyrics are straightforward and heartfelt, making them accessible for learners to understand themes of love, longing, and the universal need for patience. The song's simple acoustic arrangement allows the vulnerability of Axl Rose's vocals to shine, providing a clear example of how tone and emotion can be conveyed in English.

[English]

♪ One, two, one, two, three, four ♪

♪♪

♪♪ [whistling]

♪♪ [whistling]

♪ Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you ♪

♪ I'm still all right to smile ♪

♪ Girl, I think about you ♪

♪ Every day now ♪

♪ Was a time when I wasn't sure ♪

♪ But you set my mind at ease ♪

♪ There is no doubt you're in my heart now ♪

♪ Said woman, "Take it slow" ♪

♪ "It'll work itself out fine" ♪

♪ "All we need" ♪

♪ "Is just a little patience" ♪

♪ Said sugar, "Make it slow" ♪

♪ "And we'll come together fine" ♪

♪ "All we need" ♪

♪ "Is just a little patience" ♪

Patience.

♪ Mm, yeah ♪

♪ I sit here on the stairs ♪

♪ 'Cause I'd rather be alone ♪

♪ If I can't have you right now ♪

♪ I'll wait, dear ♪

♪ Sometimes I get so tense ♪

♪ But I can't speed up the time ♪

♪ But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider ♪

♪ Said woman, "Take it slow" ♪

♪ "Things will be just fine" ♪

♪ "You and I'll just use a little patience" ♪

♪ Said sugar, "Take the time" ♪

♪ "'Cause the lights are shining bright" ♪

♪ "You and I've got what it takes to make it" ♪

♪ We won't fake it ♪

♪ I'll never break it ♪

♪ 'Cause I can take it ♪

♪♪ [whistling]

♪ A little patience ♪

♪ Mm, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Mm, yeah ♪

♪ Need a little patience ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Just a little patience ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Some more patience ♪

♪ I've been walking the streets at night ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Just tryin' to get it right ♪

♪ Some patience ♪

♪ It's hard to see with so many around ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Being stuck in the crowd ♪

♪ What you need is some patience ♪

♪ And the streets don't change ♪

♪ But maybe the names ♪

♪ I ain't got time for the game ♪

♪ Gotta have more patience ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, but I need you ♪

♪ Oh, I need you ♪

♪ Whoa, I need you ♪

♪ Ooh, this time ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
tear /tɪr/ A2	noun - a drop of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in the eye
miss /mɪs/ A1	verb - to feel sadness at the absence of
smile /smaɪl/ A1	verb - to form one's features into a pleased expression
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - an organ that pumps blood
patience /ˈpeɪʃns/ B1	noun - the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset
need /niːd/ A1	verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important
stairs /sterz/ A2	noun - a set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - having no one else present; solitary
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event
tense /tɛns/ B2	adjective - unable to relax; nervous or anxious
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection
bright /braɪt/ B1	adjective - giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining
streets /striːts/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town
crowd /kraʊd/ A2	noun - a large number of people gathered together in a disorganized or unruly way
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or chance

Key Grammar Structures

• I'm still all right to smile.

  ➔ Present continuous tense.

  ➔ The phrase "I'm still all right" uses the present continuous to indicate a current state.

• Said woman, 'Take it slow.'

  ➔ Reported speech.

  ➔ The phrase uses reported speech to convey what someone else said.

• All we need is just a little patience.

  ➔ Simple present tense.

  ➔ The phrase uses the simple present tense to express a general truth.

• Sometimes I get so tense.

  ➔ Present simple tense.

  ➔ The phrase uses the present simple tense to describe a habitual action.

• You and I've got what it takes to make it.

  ➔ Present perfect tense.

  ➔ The phrase uses the present perfect tense to indicate a completed action with relevance to the present.

• It's hard to see with so many around.

  ➔ Infinitive phrase.

  ➔ The phrase uses an infinitive to express purpose or reason.

• Gotta have more patience.

  ➔ Colloquial contraction.

  ➔ The phrase uses a colloquial contraction to express necessity.