Slow – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: Popular Problems

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through Leonard Cohen's 'Slow' offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the power of deliberate and thoughtful expression. The song's simple yet profound lyrics, delivered in Cohen's distinct baritone, allow learners to focus on the nuances of each word and the rhythm of the language. 'Slow' is special because it's more than just a song; it's a statement of a life philosophy, making the language learning process a meditative and meaningful experience.

[English]

I'm slowing down the tune

I've never liked it fast

You wanna get there soon

I wanna get there last

It's not because I'm old

It's not the life I led

"I always liked it slow"

That's what my mama said

...

I'm lacing up my shoes

But I don't want to run

I'll get there when I do

Don't need no starting gun

It's not because I'm old

And it's not what dying does

I always liked it slow

Slow is in my blood

...

I always liked it slow

I've never liked it fast

With you, it's got to go

With me, it's got to last

It's not because I'm old

It's not because I'm dead

"I always liked it slow"

That's what my mama said

...

All your moves are swift

All your turns are tight

Let me catch my breath

I thought we had all night

I like to take my time

I like to linger as it flies

A weekend on your lips

A lifetime in your eyes

I always liked it slow

I've never liked it fast

With you, it's got to go

With me, it's got to last

It's not because I'm old

It's not the life I led

"I always liked it slow"

That's what my mama said

...

I'm slowing down the tune

I've never liked it fast

You wanna get there soon

I wanna get there last

So baby, let me go

You're wanted back in town

In case, they want to know

I'm just trying to slow it down

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
slow /sləʊ/ A2	adjective - moving or operating at a low speed verb - to reduce the speed of something
tune /tjuːn/ B1	noun - a melody
fast /fɑːst/ A2	adjective - moving or capable of moving at high speed
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for something
get /ɡet/ A1	verb - to receive or obtain something
last /lɑːst/ A2	verb - to continue for a period of time adjective - coming after all others in time or order
old /əʊld/ A1	adjective - having lived for a long time; not young
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.
said /sed/ A1	verb - past tense of say
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries of animals
moves /muːvz/ B1	noun - an act of changing position or location
turns /tɜːrnz/ A2	noun - a change in direction
breath /breθ/ A2	noun - the air that is taken into or let out of the lungs
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
lips /lɪps/ A1	noun - either of the two fleshy edges of the mouth
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs of sight
go /ɡəʊ/ A1	verb - to move or travel