Stand By Me – English Lyrics

• By: Def Leppard

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
night /naɪt/ A2	noun - the period of darkness in each twenty-four hours; the time from sunset to sunrise
land /lænd/ A2	noun - the solid surface of the Earth
moon /muːn/ A2	noun - the natural satellite of the Earth that orbits the planet
light /laɪt/ A2	noun - the brightness that allows us to see things verb - to make bright with light
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ B1	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to be in an upright position on the feet
darling /ˈdɑː.lɪŋ/ A2	noun - a term of endearment for a loved one
fall /fɔːl/ A2	verb - to move downward accidentally or unintentionally
crumble /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ B2	verb - to break into small fragments or pieces
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to produce tears as an expression of emotion
tears /tɪərz/ B1	noun - drops of liquid from the eyes when crying
trouble /ˈtrʌb.əl/ B2	noun - difficulty or problems

Key Grammar Structures

• When the night has come

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ Uses "has come" to indicate that the night's arrival is a completed action that has relevance to the present moment. Signifies a state that exists *now* because the night *has* come.

• And the land is dark

  ➔ Simple Present Tense (State of Being)

  ➔ Describes a general, unchanging state: "the land is dark". Uses the verb "is" to link the subject (the land) with its state (dark).

• Just as long as you stand, stand by me

  ➔ Conditional Clause with 'as long as'

  ➔ "As long as" introduces a condition. The main clause (I won't be afraid) is dependent on the condition (you stand by me) being met. Expresses a strong sense of reliance.

• If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

  ➔ Hypothetical Conditional (Subjunctive Mood)

  ➔ Uses "should tumble and fall" to express a highly unlikely or impossible situation. The use of "should" indicates a subjunctive mood, suggesting a hypothetical event.

• I won't cry, I won't cry

  ➔ Future Simple (Negative)

  ➔ Expresses a future decision or intention *not* to cry. "Won't" is the contracted form of "will not".

• Whenever you're in trouble

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Time (with 'Whenever')

  ➔ "Whenever" means "at any time" or "every time". Introduces a clause that specifies the time the action in the main clause will occur.

• Won't you stand by me?

  ➔ Future Simple (Negative Interrogative)

  ➔ Expresses a request or plea for future support, phrased as a negative question. Implies a desire or hope for the action to occur.