Sodom and Gommorrah – English Lyrics

• By: Village People

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of 1970s disco and uncover an ancient story with Village People's "Sodom and Gomorrah." This song offers a unique opportunity to learn English through its clear, narrative lyrics that recount a famous biblical tale of morality and consequence. Its straightforward storytelling, set to an infectious disco beat, makes it an engaging way to grasp new vocabulary and understand a significant cultural reference, making the learning process both fun and insightful.

[English]

This is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah

Two cites tha-at were full of hatred and lu-ust

Because their ties were great, because of all their lu-ust

The Lord decided destructio-ion was a mu-u-u-ust

This is what he said:

Give me (give me-ee) 50 good men (just give me 50 good me-e-en)

And I'll (and I-I-I'll) spare the whole city (and I'll spare the whole city-y)

Give me 40 good men, to destroy you a-a-all would be a pi-i-ity

Oh-oh-oh-oh, Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah) Sodom and Gomorrah

Cities with one man you can trust (cities with one man you can trust)

Sodom and Gomorrah, Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah)

Cities full of hatred and lust (cities full of hatred and lust)

Sodom and Gomorrah (yeah) Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah)

Judgement day is very close by (judgement day is very close by)

Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah) Sodom and Gomorrah

The flames will reach up high to the sky (high to the sky)

God sent two angels to Sodom and Gommorah

They were met by Lot who bowed to the grou-ound

They went into his ho-o-ome, before they could knock down

The wicked men of Sodom gathered rou-ou-ou-ound

Here's what the angel said:

Give me (give me-ee-ee) 30 good men (just give me 30 good men)

And I'll (and I-I-I'll) spare the whole city (and I'll spare the whole city-y)

Give me 20 good men, to destroy you a-a-all would be a pi-i-ity-y

Oh-oh-oh-oh, Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah) Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah)

Cities with one man you can trust (cities with one man you can trust)

Sodom and Gomorrah (yeah) Sodom and Gomorrah (Sodom and Gomorrah)

Cities full of hatred and lust (cities full of hatred and lust)

Sodom and Gomorrah (yeah) Sodom and Gomorrah (Sod

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Sodom /ˈsɒdəm/ B2	noun - the biblical city of Sodom
Gomorrah /ɡɒˈmɒrə/ B2	noun - the biblical city of Gomorrah
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - large town
hatred /ˈheɪtrɪd/ B2	noun - intense dislike
lust /lʌst/ B2	noun - strong sexual desire
Lord /lɔːrd/ B1	noun - title for a male ruler or deity
destruction /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/ B2	noun - the act of destroying
give /ɡɪv/ A1	verb - to hand over
spare /spɛər/ B1	verb - to refrain from harming
destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ B1	verb - to ruin completely
trust /trʌst/ B1	verb - to rely on
judgement /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/ B2	noun - the act of forming an opinion
flames /fleɪmz/ B1	noun - burning fire
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region above the earth
angels /ˈeɪndʒəlz/ A2	noun - spiritual beings
wicked /ˈwɪkɪd/ B2	adjective - evil
men /mɛn/ A1	noun - adult males
piety /ˈpaɪəti/ C1	noun - devoutness or reverence
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - morally right or beneficial
bow /baʊ/ B1	verb - to bend forward as a sign of respect

Key Grammar Structures

• This is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah

  ➔ Simple present (to be)

  ➔ The verb "is" is the present simple form of "to be" used to link the subject "This" with the complement "the story of Sodom and Gomorrah".

• Two cities that were full of hatred and lust

  ➔ Relative clause with past simple

  ➔ The verb "were" is the past simple of "to be" inside the relative clause "that were full of hatred and lust" describing "cities".

• Give me 50 good men

  ➔ Imperative

  ➔ The verb "Give" is in the imperative mood, used to issue a direct request or command.

• And I'll spare the whole city

  ➔ Future with "will" (contraction)

  ➔ The contraction "I'll" stands for "I will"; it expresses a future action using the modal "will".

• Cities with one man you can trust

  ➔ Relative clause with modal "can"

  ➔ The modal verb "can" in "you can trust" shows ability/possibility within the relative clause that modifies "man".

• The flames will reach up high to the sky

  ➔ Future simple with "will"

  ➔ The auxiliary "will" + base verb "reach" forms the simple future, indicating a prediction about the flames.

• God sent two angels to Sodom and Gomorrah

  ➔ Simple past

  ➔ The verb "sent" is the simple past of "send", used to describe a completed action in the past.

• They were met by Lot who bowed to the ground

  ➔ Passive voice (past simple)

  ➔ The phrase "were met" is the past simple passive of "meet", indicating that the subject "they" received the action.

• Before they could knock down

  ➔ Modal "could" for past ability

  ➔ The modal "could" expresses past ability or possibility in the clause "they could knock down".