Protection – English Lyrics

• By: Massive Attack, Tracey Thorn
• Album: Protection

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Massive Attack's "Protection" offers a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of English expression. The song's clear, emotive lyrics, sung beautifully by Tracey Thorn, provide an accessible way to understand themes of empathy, support, and love. Its repetitive, poetic structure makes it ideal for learners to grasp key phrases and explore the deeper, metaphorical meanings within the language. What makes this song special is its universal message of care, allowing you to connect with the English language on a deeply emotional level.

[English]

♪ ♪

♪ THIS GIRL I KNOW NEEDS SOME SHELTER ♪

♪ BUT SHE DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE CAN HELP HER ♪

♪ SHE'S DOING SO MUCH HARM DOING SO MUCH DAMAGE ♪

♪ BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED ♪

♪ YOU TELL HER SHE CAN MANAGE ♪

♪ NOW YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE WAY SHE FEELS ♪

♪ BUT YOU COULD PUT YOUR ARM AROUND HER ♪

♪ I KNOW YOU WANT TO LIVE YOURSELF ♪

♪ BUT COULD YOU FORGIVE YOURSELF ♪

♪ IF YOU LEFT HER JUST THE WAY YOU FOUND HER ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ I'LL TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ I'LL TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ YOU'RE A BOY AND I'M A GIRL ♪

♪ BUT YOU KNOW YOU CAN LEAN ON ME ♪

♪ AND I DON'T HAVE NO FEAR ♪

♪ I'LL TAKE ON ANY MAN HERE ♪

♪ WHO SAYS THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ SHE'S A GIRL AND YOU'RE A BOY ♪

♪ SOMETIMES YOU LOOK SO SMALL (LOOK SO SMALL) ♪

♪ YOU'VE GOT A BABY OF YOUR OWN ♪

♪ WHEN YOUR BABY'S GONE ♪

♪ SHE'LL BE THE ONE ♪

♪ TO CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ♪

♪ TAKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW ♪

♪ PROTECTION ♪

♪ YOU'RE A GIRL AND I'M A BOY ♪

♪ YOU'RE A GIRL AND I'M A BOY YEAH ♪

♪ YOU'RE A GIRL AND I'M A BOY ♪

♪ YOU'RE A GIRL AND I'M A BOY ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
protection /prəˈtekʃən/ A2	noun - the act of protecting or the state of being protected
shelter /ˈʃeltər/ A2	noun - a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger
harm /hɑːrm/ A2	noun - physical or mental damage or injury
damage /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ A2	noun - harm or injury to something
involve /ɪnˈvɒlv/ B1	verb - to include or affect someone or something in an activity, situation, or process
manage /ˈmænɪdʒ/ A2	verb - to succeed in doing or dealing with something, especially despite difficulties
forgive /fəˈɡɪv/ A2	verb - to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense or mistake
force /fɔːrs/ A2	noun - strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement
blow /bləʊ/ A2	noun - a hard hit or strike with the hand, fist, or an object
lean /liːn/ A2	verb - to rest or press against something for support
fear /fɪər/ A1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger or pain
catch /kætʃ/ A1	verb - to grasp or take hold of something
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to move downward, typically rapidly and freely, under the force of gravity
small /smɔːl/ A1	adjective - of a size that is less than normal or usual

Key Grammar Structures

• THIS GIRL I KNOW NEEDS SOME SHELTER

  ➔ Present Simple with 'need'

  ➔ The verb 'need' in the present simple tense indicates a general truth or a recurring need. Here, it emphasizes that the girl consistently requires shelter.

• BUT SHE DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE CAN HELP HER

  ➔ Negative contraction with 'don't'

  ➔ The contraction 'don't' is used to negate the verb 'believe', emphasizing her lack of faith in others. This is a common informal contraction in spoken English.

• BUT YOU COULD PUT YOUR ARM AROUND HER

  ➔ Modal verb 'could' for suggestion

  ➔ The modal verb 'could' is used here to make a gentle suggestion or offer a possibility. It softens the request, making it less direct.

• IF YOU LEFT HER JUST THE WAY YOU FOUND HER

  ➔ Past tense in conditional clause

  ➔ The past tense 'left' is used in a conditional clause to describe a hypothetical situation. It suggests a consequence based on a past action.

• I'LL STAND IN FRONT OF YOU

  ➔ Future tense with 'will'

  ➔ The future tense with 'will' is used to express a promise or a voluntary action. Here, it emphasizes the speaker's commitment to protect.

• YOU'RE A BOY AND I'M A GIRL

  ➔ Present continuous with 'be'

  ➔ The present continuous with 'be' is used to describe a temporary state or a characteristic. Here, it highlights the gender roles being discussed.

• WHEN YOUR BABY'S GONE

  ➔ Possessive form with apostrophe

  ➔ The possessive form 'baby's' is created by adding an apostrophe and 's' to 'baby', indicating ownership. It shows that the baby belongs to 'you'.

• TO CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose with 'to'

  ➔ The infinitive of purpose with 'to' is used to express the reason for an action. Here, it explains why someone would catch you—to help when you fall.