Promises – English Lyrics

• By: The Cranberries

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of broken commitments and emotional honesty with The Cranberries' "Promises." This intense rock track offers a glimpse into complex relationships, teaching listeners about the weight of words and the importance of trust. Discover the blend of raw emotion and musical evolution that makes this song a standout in The Cranberries' discography.

[English]

(birds cawing)

("Promises" by The Cranberries)

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ You better believe I'm coming ♪

♪ You better believe what I say ♪

♪ You better hold on to your promises because ♪

♪ You bet you'll get what you deserve ♪

♪ She's going to leave him over ♪

♪ She's gonna take her love away ♪

♪ So much for your eternal vows ♪

♪ Well it does not matter anyway ♪

♪ Why can't you stay here a while ♪

♪ Stay here awhile ♪

♪ Stay with me ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we made ♪

♪ Promises we made ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I prayed ♪

♪ Prayed prayed ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we broke ♪

♪ Promises we broke ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I spoke ♪

♪ Spoke spoke ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ Do-do-do ♪

♪ What of all the things that you've taught me ♪

♪ What of all the things that you'd say ♪

♪ What of all your prophetic preaching ♪

♪ You're just throwing it all away ♪

♪ Maybe we should burn the house down ♪

♪ Have ourselves another fight ♪

♪ Leave the cobwebs in the closet ♪

♪ 'Cause tearing them out is just not right ♪

♪ Why can't you stay here a while ♪

♪ Stay here awhile ♪

♪ Stay with me ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we made ♪

♪ Promises we made ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I prayed ♪

♪ Prayed prayed ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we broke ♪

♪ Promises we broke ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I spoke ♪

♪ Spoke spoke ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we made ♪

♪ Promises we made ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I prayed ♪

♪ Prayed prayed ♪

♪ Oh oh oh ♪

♪ All the promises we broke ♪

♪ Promises we broke ♪

♪ All the meaningless and empty words I spoke ♪

♪ Spoke spoke ♪

♪ Oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh ♪

♪ Oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh ♪

♪ Oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh oh eh ♪

♪ Oh eh oh eh oh eh oh oh ♪

(energy crackles)

(birds cawing)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ A1	noun - a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen in the future verb - to tell someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen in the future
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A1	verb - to think that something is true or real
leave /liːv/ A1	verb - to go away from a place or person
take /teɪk/ A1	verb - to get something and hold it in your hands or keep it
eternal /ɪˈtɜːrnl/ B1	adjective - lasting or existing forever
vow /vaʊ/ B1	noun - a solemn promise verb - to make a solemn promise
meaningless /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/ B1	adjective - having no meaning or importance
empty /ˈɛmpti/ A2	adjective - containing nothing
pray /preɪ/ A2	verb - to speak to a god or gods
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces
speak /spiːk/ A1	verb - to say words or give information
teach /tiːtʃ/ A1	verb - to give lessons to someone
throw /θroʊ/ A1	verb - to send something through the air with force
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be damaged or destroyed by fire
fight /faɪt/ A1	noun - a violent argument or battle verb - to take part in a violent argument or battle
closet /ˈklɒzɪt/ A2	noun - a small room or cupboard for storing things
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - correct or true
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in the same place

Key Grammar Structures

• You better believe I'm coming

  ➔ Had better + infinitive

  ➔ The word "better" forms the idiomatic structure “had better + infinitive”, expressing a strong recommendation.

• Because you better hold on to your promises

  ➔ Because + clause (cause)

  ➔ "because" introduces a reason clause, linking cause and effect.

• She's going to leave him over

  ➔ Be going to + infinitive (future intention)

  ➔ "going" (in "be going to") shows a planned future action.

• Why can't you stay here a while

  ➔ Modal verb “can” in negative question

  ➔ "can't" combines the modal "can" with "not", forming a negative question that asks for permission or ability.

• All the promises we made

  ➔ Relative clause (past simple)

  ➔ "we made" is a relative clause that describes "promises" using the past simple tense.

• Maybe we should burn the house down

  ➔ Modal verb “should” + infinitive

  ➔ "should" expresses advice or suggestion, followed by the base form "burn".

• Leave the cobwebs in the closet

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ "Leave" is an imperative verb, giving a direct command to the listener.

• You're just throwing it all away

  ➔ Present continuous (be + V‑ing)

  ➔ "throwing" (in "are throwing") shows an ongoing action happening now.