Sister Christian – English Lyrics

• By: Night Ranger

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the poignant world of Night Ranger's "Sister Christian," a quintessential 80s power ballad that transcends language barriers with its universal message. Through its relatable themes of growing up, familial love, and life's choices, this song offers a unique window into American culture and common idioms of the era. Its clear narrative and emotive delivery make it an excellent choice for language learners to grasp conversational English, expressions like "you're motoring," and the nuances of brotherly advice, all while enjoying a classic rock anthem.

[English]

(clock ticking)

(melancholy piano music)

♪ Sister Christian, oh the time has come ♪

♪ And you know that you're the only one to say ♪

♪ Okay ♪

♪ Where you going ♪

♪ What you looking for ♪

♪ You know those boys don't wanna play no more with you ♪

♪ It's true ♪

(dramatic rock music)

♪ You're motoring ♪

♪ What's your price for flight ♪

♪ In finding Mister Right ♪

♪ You'll be alright tonight ♪

♪ Babe, you know you're growing up so fast ♪

♪ And mama's worrying that you won't last ♪

♪ To say let's play ♪

♪ Sister Christian, there's so much in life ♪

♪ Don't you give it up before your time is due ♪

♪ It's true ♪

♪ It's true ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Motoring ♪

♪ What's your price for flight ♪

♪ In finding Mister Right ♪

♪ You'll be alright tonight ♪

(dramatic rock music)

♪ Motoring ♪

♪ What's your price for flight ♪

♪ In finding Mister Right ♪

♪ You'll be alright tonight ♪

(dramatic rock music)

♪ Sister Christian, oh the time has come ♪

♪ And you know that you're the only one to say ♪

♪ Okay ♪

♪ But you're motoring ♪

♪ Yeah motoring ♪

(melancholy piano music)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sister /ˈsɪstər/ A1	noun - a female sibling
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
come /kʌm/ A1	verb - to move toward someone or something
know /noʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
going /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/ A1	verb - move, travel, or proceed
looking /ˈlʊkɪŋ/ A1	verb - having a specified appearance
boys /bɔɪz/ A1	noun - a male child or young man
play /pleɪ/ A1	verb - engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
true /truː/ A2	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
motoring /ˈmoʊtərɪŋ/ B2	verb - Traveling in a car.
price /praɪs/ A2	noun - the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something.
flight /flaɪt/ B1	noun - the action or process of flying through the air.
finding /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/ B1	verb - discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly
right /raɪt/ A1	adjective - morally good, justified, or acceptable.
alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/ A2	adjective - satisfactory or acceptable
growing /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/ A2	verb - increase in size or substance; expand.
fast /fæst/ A1	adjective - moving or capable of moving at high speed.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
give /ɡɪv/ A1	verb - freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to.

Key Grammar Structures

• Sister Christian, oh the time has come

  ➔ Present Perfect (has come)

  ➔ The "present perfect" tense (has come) indicates that the time has arrived now, with relevance to the present situation. It emphasizes the present result of a past action.

• And you know that you're the only one to say

  ➔ Relative Clause (to say)

  ➔ The phrase "to say" is a "relative clause" functioning as an adjective, modifying "one". It specifies what the "only one" is supposed to do.

• Where you going

  ➔ Ellipsis (are)

  ➔ This is an example of "ellipsis", where the auxiliary verb "are" is omitted for informal speech. The complete sentence would be "Where are you going?".

• What you looking for

  ➔ Ellipsis (are)

  ➔ Similar to the previous line, this sentence employs "ellipsis". The auxiliary verb "are" is omitted for a more casual tone. The complete version is "What are you looking for?".

• You know those boys don't wanna play no more with you

  ➔ Double Negative (don't wanna play no more)

  ➔ The phrase "don't wanna play no more" is an example of a "double negative". Although grammatically incorrect in standard English, it's often used in informal speech or certain dialects for emphasis. It effectively means they don't want to play anymore.

• What's your price for flight

  ➔ Noun phrase with preposition "for"

  ➔ This line uses a noun phrase with the preposition "for" to express the purpose or goal of something. The "flight" is not literal, but rather a metaphorical escape, and the price represents what she's willing to give up for that escape.

• In finding Mister Right

  ➔ Gerund phrase as adverbial modifier

  ➔ Here, "finding Mister Right" is a "gerund phrase" acting as an adverbial modifier, specifying the purpose or means by which she is "motoring" (or moving quickly through life). It answers the question: for what purpose is she moving?

• And mama's worrying that you won't last

  ➔ Present Continuous for Future Arrangement (mama's worrying)

  ➔ While "mama's worrying" is grammatically present continuous, it conveys a sense of planned, ongoing worry about the future. It highlights the mother's continuous state of concern.