Stick Season – English Lyrics

• By: Noah Kahan

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Noah Kahan's "Stick Season," a folk-pop masterpiece that beautifully captures the raw emotions of heartbreak and homesickness during a transitional period. Through its vivid storytelling and relatable lyrics, this song offers a unique window into American regional idioms and heartfelt expressions, making it an excellent listen for language learners eager to explore authentic, modern English storytelling and emotional vocabulary.

[English]

As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined

You must have had yourself a change of heart like

Halfway through the drive

Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign

Kept on drivin' straight and left our future to the right

Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can't face

And memories are somethin' even smoking weed does not replace

And I am terrified of weather 'cause I see you when it rains

Doc told me to travel, but there's COVID on the planes

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll dream each night of some version of you

That I might not have, but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do

...

So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad

That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad

No, I am no longer funny, 'cause I miss the way you laugh

You once called me forever, now you still can't call me back

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll dream each night of some version of you

That I might not have, but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do

Oh, that'll have to do

My other half was you

I hope this pain's just passin' through

But I doubt it

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll dream each night of some version of you

That I might not have, but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do

Have to do

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
promised /ˈprɒmɪst/ B1	verb - assured someone that one will definitely do something
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	noun - an act or process through which something becomes different verb - to become different
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song
stuck /stʌk/ B1	adjective - unable to move from a particular position or place, or unable to change a situation
anger /ˈæŋɡər/ B1	noun - a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
blame /bleɪm/ B1	noun - responsibility for a fault or wrong verb - assign responsibility for a fault or wrong
memories /ˈmɛməriz/ A2	noun - something remembered from the past; a recollection.
terrified /ˈtɛrɪfaɪd/ B2	adjective - extremely frightened
weather /ˈwɛðər/ A2	noun - the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
rains /reɪnz/ A1	verb - moisture condensed from the atmosphere that falls visibly in separate drops
sticks /stɪks/ A1	noun - a long, thin piece of wood
forgot /fərˈɡɒt/ A1	verb - to fail to remember
victim /ˈvɪktɪm/ B2	noun - a person harmed or suffered as a result of a destructive act or circumstance.
alcohol /ˈælkəhɒl/ B1	noun - a colorless volatile flammable liquid produced by the natural fermentation of sugars; also the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep verb - experience dreams during sleep
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something)
tires /ˈtaɪər/ A2	noun - a covering for a wheel, usually made of rubber
tracks /træks/ A2	noun - a mark or line left by a person, animal, or vehicle in passing
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury

Key Grammar Structures

• As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined

  ➔ Subordinate Clause with "as" and Indirect Statement with "that"

  ➔ "As" introduces a reason or circumstance. "That I was more..." is an indirect statement, reporting what was promised.

• You must have had yourself a change of heart like Halfway through the drive

  ➔ Modal Verb of Deduction: "must have" + past participle

  ➔ "Must have had" indicates a strong deduction about something that happened in the past. The speaker is inferring a change of heart.

• Kept on drivin' straight and left our future to the right

  ➔ Phrasal Verb "kept on" + gerund (drivin')

  ➔ "Kept on" means to continue doing something. "Drivin'" is the gerund form used after the phrasal verb.

• And I am terrified of weather 'cause I see you when it rains

  ➔ Causative conjunction "'cause"

  ➔ "'Cause" is an informal contraction of "because". It introduces the reason why the speaker is terrified of weather.

• Doc told me to travel, but there's COVID on the planes

  ➔ Reported Speech (indirect command): "told me to travel"

  ➔ "Told me to travel" reports the doctor's advice. The original command was likely, "You should travel."

• And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim

  ➔ "But" as a Conjunction of Contrast

  ➔ "But" introduces a contrasting idea. While acknowledging his part of the blame, he admits to enjoying playing the victim.

• I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

  ➔ Time Clause with "'til"

  ➔ "'Til" is a shortened, informal version of "until." The clause "'til my friends come home for Christmas" indicates the duration of the action.

• That I might not have, but I did not lose

  ➔ Modal Verb "might" for possibility; "did not lose" simple past tense.

  ➔ "Might not have" expresses uncertainty about ever possessing that version of the person. "Did not lose" is a simple past tense statement.