Returning To Myself – English Lyrics

• By: Brandi Carlile

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the poignant lyrics and evolving sounds of Brandi Carlile's "Returning To Myself" to explore themes of self-discovery and the power of human connection. This song offers a rich vocabulary for introspection and relationships, showcasing Carlile's masterful storytelling and vocal artistry. Learn how her journey inward ultimately leads back to others, making it a compelling piece for understanding English expressions of emotion and interconnectedness.

[English]

[OCEAN SOUNDS]

[ACOUSTIC GUITAR MELODY]

♪ IS THERE SOME FREEWHEELING WATCHER ♪

♪ SHOOTING MARBLES IN THE SKY? ♪

♪ HOLDING YOUR YEARS BETWEEN THEIR FINGERS ♪

♪ WATCHING IT BURN ’TIL THE FIRE DIES ♪

♪ WHY IS IT HEROIC TO UNTETHER? ♪

♪ HOW IS ALONE SOME HOLY GRAIL? ♪

♪ AND IF WE REALLY COME AND GO UNKNOWN ♪

♪ COULDN’T I FIND MYSELF IN JAIL? ♪

♪ OH KEEPER HOW I LOVE YOU ♪

♪ I LOVE YOU AND YOU AND YOU ♪

♪ AND RETURNING TO MYSELF IS SUCH A LONELY THING TO DO ♪

♪ BUT IT’S THE ONLY THING TO DO ♪

♪ IS IT EVOLVING TURNING INWARD? ♪

♪ OH WHAT AN EASY WAY TO BE ♪

♪ ONLY KNEELING AT THE ALTAR OF ♪

♪ THE GREAT AND MIGHTY ME ♪

♪ LET ME BREAK MYSELF APART ♪

♪ INSTEAD AND SCATTER TO MY BIRDS ♪

♪ LIKE A BURIAL AT SEA ♪

♪ TO BE THE GOSPEL WITHOUT WORDS ♪

♪ OH MY DARLINGS HOW I LOVE YOU ♪

♪ I LOVE YOU AND YOU AND YOU ♪

♪ AND RETURNING TO MYSELF IS SUCH A LONELY THING TO DO ♪

♪ BUT IT’S THE ONLY THING TO DO ♪

♪ THERE’S NO HONOR IN THE PILGRIMAGE ♪

♪ UNTIL A SOUL RETURNS ♪

♪ TO HOLD ANOTHER’S HAND ♪

♪ AND THEN, AND ONLY THEN IT LEARNS ♪

♪ THAT LIFE IS LIKE A STONE ♪

♪ ONLY SKIPPING FOR A TIME ♪

♪ OH IT NEVER REALLY HOLDS ITS OWN ♪

♪ IT’LL NEVER SEE THE OTHER SIDE ♪

♪ AND I WAS BORN TO LOVE YOU ♪

♪ I LOVE YOU AND YOU AND YOU ♪

♪ OH RETURNING TO MYSELF ♪

♪ IS SUCH A LONELY THING TO DO ♪

♪ RETURNING TO MYSELF IS JUST ♪

♪ RETURNING ME TO YOU ♪

♪ THAT’S THE ONLY THING I WANT TO DO ♪

[ACOUSTIC GUITAR CONTINUES]

[OCEAN SOUNDS]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel affection for someone or something noun - a strong feeling of affection and caring
return /rɪˈtɜːrn/ A2	verb - to come or go back to a place or person noun - the act of coming or going back
lonely /ˈloʊnli/ A2	adjective - feeling sad because you are alone
hold /hoʊld/ A2	verb - to have something in your hand or arms verb - to support or maintain
learn /lɜːrn/ A1	verb - to gain knowledge or skill
watch /wɑːtʃ/ A1	verb - to look at something for a period of time noun - a device for telling the time
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be on fire or to cause something to be on fire noun - an injury caused by heat or fire
heroic /hɪˈroʊɪk/ B1	adjective - showing great bravery
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - without anyone else adverb - only; solely
keeper /ˈkiːpər/ B1	noun - a person who looks after something
altar /ˈɔːltər/ B1	noun - a table in a church for religious ceremonies
mighty /ˈmaɪti/ B1	adjective - having great power or strength
break /breɪk/ A2	verb - to separate into pieces noun - a short time of rest
scatter /ˈskætər/ B2	verb - to throw or spread things in different directions
gospel /ˈɡɑːspəl/ B1	noun - the teachings of Jesus Christ
honor /ˈɑːnər/ A2	noun - respect and admiration verb - to show respect to someone
pilgrimage /ˈpɪlɡrɪmɪdʒ/ C1	noun - a journey to a sacred place for religious reasons
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a person
stone /stoʊn/ A2	noun - hard solid substance found in the earth
born /bɔːrn/ A2	verb - past participle of bear; to be brought into the world

Key Grammar Structures

• Returning to myself is such a lonely thing to do.

  ➔ Gerund as the subject

  ➔ The phrase 'Returning to myself' is a **gerund** acting as the **subject** of the sentence, indicating the action being described.

• And if we really come and go unknown.

  ➔ Conditional clause with 'if'

  ➔ The phrase uses the **conditional** 'if' to express a hypothetical situation or possibility, suggesting uncertainty or speculation.

• And return to my self is such a lonely thing to do.

  ➔ Simple present verb as complement

  ➔ The verb 'return' is in the **present simple** tense, used here as part of the predicate to describe a habitual or ongoing action.

• Such a lonely thing to do.

  ➔ Adjective phrase describing the noun

  ➔ The phrase 'Such a lonely thing' functions as an **adjective phrase** that describes the noun 'thing,' emphasizing its loneliness.

• And I was born to love you.

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose

  ➔ The phrase 'to love you' is an **infinitive** expressing purpose or intention, showing the reason for the action.