Reel Around the Fountain – English Lyrics

• By: The Smiths

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the intriguing world of The Smiths with "Reel Around the Fountain," a song that sparked debate and showcased Morrissey's lyrical genius. Explore how this track addresses themes of innocence and longing, while also drawing inspiration from literary works. Learn about the musical elements that define the song's unique sound.

[English]

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

You made him old

Reel around the fountain

Slap me on the patio

I'm not in now

15 minutes with you

Well I wouldn't say no

People said that you were virtually dead

And they were so wrong

15 minutes with you

Well I wouldn't say no

People said that you were reasonably loud

And they were half right

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

You made him old

Reel around the fountain

Slap me on the patio

I'm not in now

15 minutes with you

Well I wouldn't say no

People see no worth in you oh

But I do

15 minutes with you

Well I wouldn't say no

People see no worth in you

Oh but I do

I dreamt about you last night

And I fell out of bed twice

You can pin and mount me

Like a butterfly

But take me to the heaven of your thighs

Oh was something that you never said

Too long, please

You're the bees knees but so am I

Meet me at the fountain

Shove me on the patio

Take it slowly

15 minutes with you

Well I wouldn't say no

People see no worth in you

Oh but I do

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
tale /teɪl/ B2	noun - a story, especially one that is imaginary or not completely true
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty
old /oʊld/ A1	adjective - having lived for a long time; not young
reel /riːl/ B2	verb - to lose balance or stagger
fountain /ˈfaʊntən/ B2	noun - a structure from which water flows, often as a decorative feature in a garden or courtyard
slap /slæp/ B2	verb - to hit someone or something with the palm of the hand
patio /ˈpætioʊ/ B2	noun - a paved outdoor area adjoining a house
minute /ˈmɪnɪt/ A2	noun - a unit of time equal to sixty seconds
wrong /rɒŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true
loud /laʊd/ A2	adjective - making a lot of noise
worth /wɜːrθ/ B2	noun - the value of something in money or importance adjective - deserving; having a specified value
dreamt /dɹɛmt/ B1	verb - past tense of dream: to experience thoughts, images or emotions during sleep
fell /fɛl/ A2	verb - past tense of fall: to move downward freely by the force of gravity
pin /pɪn/ B2	verb - to fasten or secure with a pin
mount /maʊnt/ B2	verb - to climb up or onto something
butterfly /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/ A2	noun - an insect with large, often brightly colored wings
heaven /ˈhɛvən/ B2	noun - the place regarded in various religions as the abode of God and the angels
thigh /θaɪ/ B2	noun - the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
slowly /ˈsloʊli/ A2	adjective - at a slow speed
meet /miːt/ A1	verb - to come together or encounter someone

Key Grammar Structures

• It's time the tale were told.

  ➔ Subjunctive mood after "It's time"

  ➔ The verb "were" is in the **subjunctive** form, used after "It's time" to express a wished‑for or expected action.

• You made him old.

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ "made" is the **past simple** of "make", indicating a completed action in the past.

• Well I wouldn't say no.

  ➔ Conditional modal verb (would + bare infinitive)

  ➔ "wouldn't" = "would not" is a **conditional modal** used to express a polite refusal or hypothetical situation.

• People said that you were virtually dead.

  ➔ Reported speech with a that‑clause; past simple + past simple of "be"

  ➔ "said that" introduces **reported speech**. The verb "were" is the **past simple** of "be", matching the past reporting verb "said".

• You can pin and mount me like a butterfly.

  ➔ Modal verb "can" + bare infinitive; coordination with "and"

  ➔ "can" is a **modal of ability** followed by the bare infinitives "pin" and "mount" linked by "and".

• You're the bee's knees but so am I.

  ➔ Inversion with "so" after a copular clause

  ➔ "so am I" is an **inversion** where "so" replaces "also" and the verb precedes the subject, mirroring the preceding statement.

• Meet me at the fountain.

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ "Meet" is the **imperative** form, giving a direct command or invitation.

• Take it slowly.

  ➔ Imperative with adverbial modifier

  ➔ "Take" is an **imperative** verb and "slowly" is an adverb that tells *how* the action should be done.

• I dreamt about you last night.

  ➔ Simple past of regular verb (dream → dreamt)

  ➔ "dreamt" is the **past simple** form of the regular verb "dream", used to describe a completed action in the past.