Solitude Standing – English Lyrics

• By: Suzanne Vega

Lyrics & Translation

“Solitude Standing” by Suzanne Vega offers a unique opportunity to engage with English through its poetic and introspective lyrics. The song's vivid personification of an abstract concept like "solitude" provides rich vocabulary and imagery, making it an excellent piece to explore metaphorical language and nuanced emotional expression in English. Its distinctive folk-pop style, combined with Vega's precise storytelling, creates an atmospheric soundscape that deepens the listener's connection to the language and its artistic possibilities.

[English]

Solitude stands by the window

She turns her head as I walk in the room

I can see by her eyes she's been waiting

Standing in the slant of the late afternoon

And she turns to me with her hand extended

Her palm is split with a flower with a flame

Solitude stands in the doorway

And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette

By her long cool stare and her silence

I suddenly remember each time we've met

And she turns to me with her hand extended

Her palm is split with a flower with a flame

And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"

And she says "I've come to lighten this dark heart"

And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear

And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"

I turn to the crowd as they're watching

They're sitting all together in the dark in the warm

I wanted to be in there among them

I see how their eyes are gathered into one

And then she turns to me with her hand extended

Her palm is split with a flower with a flame

And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"

And she says "I've come to lighten this dark heart"

And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear

And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"

Solitude stands in the doorway

And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette

By her long cool stare and her silence

I suddenly remember each time we've met

And she turns to me with her hand extended

Her palm is split with a flower with a flame

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
solitude /ˈsɒlɪtjuːd/ B2	noun - the state of being alone
window /ˈwɪndəʊ/ A1	noun - an opening in a wall for light and air
flower /ˈflaʊə/ A2	noun - the part of a plant that is often colorful and fragrant
flame /fleɪm/ B1	noun - the visible part of fire
silhouette /ˌsɪluˈɛt/ B2	noun - a dark shape or outline of someone or something
dark /dɑːk/ A2	adjective - having little or no light
heart /hɑːt/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood
crowd /kraʊd/ B1	noun - a large number of people gathered together
imprint /ˈɪmprɪnt/ B2	noun - a mark made by pressure verb - to make a mark or impression
watch /wɒtʃ/ A1	verb - to look at something carefully
turn /tɜːn/ A1	verb - to move in a circular direction
gather /ˈɡæðə/ B1	verb - to come together or collect
extended /ɪkˈstɛndɪd/ B2	adjective - made larger in size or scope

Key Grammar Structures

• Solitude stands by the window

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb "stands" indicates a habitual action or a state of being.

• I can see by her eyes she's been waiting

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "she's been waiting" shows an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• And she says 'I've come to set a twisted thing straight'

  ➔ Reported Speech

  ➔ The phrase "she says" introduces what she is reporting or stating.

• I feel her imprint of fear

  ➔ Noun Phrase

  ➔ The phrase "her imprint of fear" is a noun phrase that describes a specific feeling.

• I turn to the crowd as they're watching

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "they're watching" indicates an action happening at the moment.

• And then she turns to me with her hand extended

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb "turns" indicates a regular action or a state of being.

• And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette

  ➔ Passive Voice

  ➔ The phrase "I'm struck" indicates that the subject is receiving the action.