Somewhere Over the Rainbow – English Lyrics

• By: Judy Garland

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the enchanting story behind Judy Garland's iconic song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Explore the themes of hope, longing, and the power of dreams, and learn how this timeless classic has touched hearts for generations. Delve into the lyrics and unlock the secrets to understanding the song's profound message, all while improving your English language skills.

[English]

Somewhere over the rainbow

way up high,

there's a land that I heard of

once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue

and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops, way above the chimney tops,

that's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow

blue birds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow.

Why then--oh why can't I?

If happy little blue birds fly

beyond the rainbow, why oh why can't I?

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
land /lænd/ A2	noun - a territory or region of the earth
dream /driːm/ B1	noun - a series of images or thoughts during sleep verb - to experience visions during sleep
sky /skaɪ/ A2	noun - the space overhead; atmosphere
dreams /driːmz/ B1	noun - plural of dream; visions during sleep
wish /wɪʃ/ B1	verb - to want something to happen noun - a desire for something to happen
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible masses of condensed water vapor in the sky
star /stɑːr/ A2	noun - a luminous celestial object visible in the night sky
stars /stɑːrz/ A2	noun - plural of star; luminous celestial objects in the sky
blue /bluː/ A2	adjective - of a color resembling the sky on a clear day
birds /bɜːrdz/ A2	noun - feathered flying animals
fly /flaɪ/ A2	verb - to move through the air using wings
happy /ˈhæpi/ A2	adjective - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

Key Grammar Structures

• Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.

  ➔ **Existential 'there is/are'** and **Relative Clause**

  ➔ 'There's' (there is) introduces the existence of 'a land'. The relative clause 'that I heard of...' modifies 'land', providing more information about it. 'That' acts as the object of 'heard of' and refers back to 'a land'.

• Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

  ➔ **Subject-Verb Agreement**, **Adverb of Emphasis** ('really'), and **Relative Clause**.

  ➔ 'Skies *are* blue' demonstrates subject-verb agreement (plural subject, plural verb). 'Really' emphasizes the truth of the statement. The relative clause 'that you dare to dream' modifies 'dreams', where 'that' represents the dreams.

• Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

  ➔ **Future Simple (will)** and **Adverbial Clause of Place** (where...)

  ➔ 'I'll wish' is a contraction of 'I will wish,' expressing a future action. 'Where the clouds are...' is an adverbial clause modifying 'wake up', indicating the location.

• Where troubles melt like lemon drops, way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me.

  ➔ **Simile ('like')**, **Demonstrative Pronoun** ('that'), and **Future Simple (will)** in shortened form.

  ➔ 'Troubles melt *like* lemon drops' uses 'like' to create a simile comparing the disappearance of troubles to melting lemon drops. 'That' refers back to the place described in the previous clause. 'You'll find me' is a shortened way of saying 'you will find me'.

• Why then--oh why can't I?

  ➔ **Modal Verb of Ability (can)** in a **Negative Question** and **Emphasis through Repetition**.

  ➔ 'Can't I?' expresses the speaker's inability or lack of permission. Repetition of 'why' emphasizes the speaker's strong feelings of longing and questioning.