Sitting, Waiting, Wishing – English Lyrics

• By: Jack Johnson
• Album: In Between Dreams

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Jack Johnson's "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing." This melodic folk-rock tune, known for its clear and heartfelt English lyrics, offers an accessible way to learn everyday expressions related to emotions, relationships, and reflection. Its simple yet profound storytelling about unrequited love makes it special, allowing listeners to connect deeply with common human experiences while expanding their vocabulary in a natural and engaging way.

[English]

Well, I was sitting, waiting, wishing

You believed in superstitions

Then maybe you'd see the signs

But Lord knows that this world is cruel

And I ain't the Lord, no I'm just a fool

Learning loving somebody don't make them love you

Must I always be waiting, waiting on you?

Must I always be playing, playing your fool?

I sang your songs, I danced your dance

I gave your friends all a chance

Putting up with them wasn't worth never having you

Ah, maybe you've been through this before

But it's my first time, so please ignore

The next few lines 'cause they're directed at you

I can't always be waiting, waiting on you

I can't always be playing, playing your fool?

I keep playing your part

But it's not my scene

Want this plot to twist

I've had enough mystery

Keep building it up

But then you're shooting me down

But I'm already down

Just wait a minute

Just sitting, waiting

Just wait a minute

Just sitting, waiting

Well, if I was in your position

I'd put down all my ammunition

I'd wonder why it had taken me so long

But Lord knows that I'm not you

And if I was I wouldn't be so cruel

'Cause waiting on love ain't so easy to do

Must I always be waiting, waiting on you?

Must I always be playing, playing your fool?

No, I can't always be waiting, waiting on you

I can't always be playing, playing your fool, fool

Key Grammar Structures

• Well, I was sitting, waiting, wishing

  ➔ Past Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase uses the past continuous tense to describe an action that was ongoing in the past. Here, 'was sitting, waiting, wishing' indicates a continuous state or action.

• Then maybe you'd see the signs

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Type 1)

  ➔ This is a Type 1 conditional sentence, used to talk about possible situations and their results. 'Maybe you'd see' suggests a likely outcome if the condition is met.

• But Lord knows that this world is cruel

  ➔ Emphatic Structure

  ➔ The phrase 'Lord knows' is an emphatic structure used to emphasize the certainty of the statement. It adds emotional weight to the sentence.

• Learning loving somebody don't make them love you

  ➔ Gerund and Negative Contraction

  ➔ 'Learning' is a gerund acting as the subject of the sentence. 'Don't' is a negative contraction of 'do not', used for emphasis and informal tone.

• I sang your songs, I danced your dance

  ➔ Simple Past Tense

  ➔ The simple past tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. 'Sang' and 'danced' are past tense verbs indicating finished actions.

• Ah, maybe you've been through this before

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred in the past but has relevance to the present. 'Have been through' indicates a past experience with present significance.

• I can't always be waiting, waiting on you

  ➔ Modal Verb for Ability (Can't)

  ➔ 'Can't' is a modal verb used to express inability or impossibility. Here, it emphasizes the speaker's inability to continue waiting.

• Want this plot to twist

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, desires, or hypothetical situations. 'Want this plot to twist' expresses a desire for a change in the story.