Run – English Lyrics

• By: Leona Lewis
• Album: Spirit

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Leona Lewis's rendition of "Run" is a perfect example. The song's clear, emotive English and powerful message of hope and connection make it an inspiring choice for language learners. Its soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics not only help with pronunciation and vocabulary but also offer a deep dive into the emotional nuances of the language, making the learning process both moving and memorable.

[English]

(wind whooshing)

(gentle piano music)

♪ I'll sing it one last time for you ♪

♪ Then we really have to go ♪

♪ You've been the only thing that's right ♪

♪ In all I've done ♪

♪ And I can barely look at you ♪

♪ But every single time I do ♪

♪ I know we'll make it anywhere ♪

♪ Away from here ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you, dear ♪

♪ To think I might not see those eyes ♪

♪ Makes it so hard not to cry ♪

♪ And as we say our long goodbyes ♪

♪ I nearly do ♪

♪ Mm-Mm ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you, dear ♪

♪ Louder, louder ♪

♪ And we'll run for our lives ♪

♪ I can hardly speak, I understand ♪

♪ Why you can't raise your voice to say ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Light up, light up ♪

♪ As if you have a choice ♪

♪ Even if you cannot hear my voice ♪

♪ I'll be right beside you, dear ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ Louder, louder ♪

♪ And we'll run for our lives ♪

♪ I can hardly speak, I understand ♪

♪ Why you can't raise your voice to say ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

(gentle piano music)

Key Grammar Structures

• I'll sing it one last time for you

  ➔ Future simple with 'will' + infinitive

  ➔ The contraction "I'll" (= I will) marks a future intention, followed by the infinitive "sing".

• Then we really have to go

  ➔ Modal verb 'have to' for obligation

  ➔ The phrase "have to" functions like "must"; it shows that leaving is necessary.

• You've been the only thing that's right

  ➔ Present perfect (have/has + past participle)

  ➔ "You've" = "you have" + past participle "been" shows an action/state that started in the past and continues now.

• And I can barely look at you

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' for ability + adverb of degree 'barely'

  ➔ The modal "can" expresses ability, while "barely" limits it to a very small extent.

• I know we'll make it anywhere

  ➔ Future clause with 'will' after a verb of cognition (know)

  ➔ "I know" is in the present, and the embedded clause "we'll make it" uses "will" to talk about a future outcome.

• Light up, light up

  ➔ Imperative mood (command) repeated for emphasis

  ➔ The verb "Light" is used without a subject, giving a direct command; repetition adds urgency.

• Even if you cannot hear my voice

  ➔ Conditional clause with 'even if' + present simple

  ➔ "Even if" introduces a hypothetical situation; the verb "cannot" stays in the present simple because the condition is considered possible now.

• I can hardly speak, I understand why you can't raise your voice to say

  ➔ Complex sentence with two independent clauses joined by a comma; modal verbs 'can' and 'can't'; infinitive of purpose "to say"

  ➔ "can" and "can't" express ability and inability; "to say" is an infinitive explaining the purpose of "raise your voice".