Swan Song – English Lyrics

• By: Dua Lipa
• Album: Alita: Battle Angel (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the empowering message of Dua Lipa's “Swan Song” and enhance your English skills along the way. The song's clear and powerful lyrics about speaking up and fighting for your beliefs make it an inspiring choice for language learners. You'll encounter strong verbs and metaphorical language that will enrich your vocabulary and understanding of English in a contemporary pop context. Let this battle cry of a song motivate you in your language journey!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot
quiet /ˈkwaɪət/ A1	adjective - making little or no noise
silent /ˈsaɪlənt/ A1	adjective - making no sound
flicker /ˈflɪkər/ B1	verb - to burn or shine unsteadily noun - a small, wavering light
diamond /ˈdaɪəmənd/ A1	noun - a precious stone consisting of highly compressed carbon
break /breɪk/ A1	verb - to separate into pieces
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in the same place
swan /swɒn/ A2	noun - a large water bird with a long neck
song /sɒŋ/ A1	noun - a musical composition with vocals
dive /daɪv/ A2	verb - to jump headfirst into water
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to grasp or carry something
tonight /təˈnaɪt/ A1	adverb - on this night
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the state of being alive
fantasy /ˈfæntəsi/ B1	noun - imagination or unrealistic desire
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept something as true
reason /ˈriːzən/ A2	noun - a cause or explanation
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be on fire
low /loʊ/ A1	adjective - near the ground or bottom

Key Grammar Structures

• I can't lie

  ➔ Negative modal verb (can + not) + base verb

  ➔ The word "can't" is the contraction of "can not", showing inability or refusal.

• I'm scared to open my eyes

  ➔ Verb + adjective + infinitive (scared to + verb)

  ➔ The adjective "scared" is followed by the infinitive "to open", expressing fear of doing something.

• What is the point of my lips if they don't make noise?

  ➔ Zero‑conditional clause with if + present simple

  ➔ The word "don't" is the negative present simple of "do" used in the if‑clause to show a factual condition.

• You know the time is runnin', runnin' out

  ➔ Present simple with progressive aspect expressed by colloquial dropping of -g

  ➔ "Runnin'" is the colloquial contraction of "running", keeping the progressive meaning while sounding informal.

• I won't stay quiet, 'cause staying silent's the same as dying

  ➔ Future simple with negative will (won't) + infinitive; contraction 'cause for because; gerund as subject

  ➔ The word "won't" contracts "will not" to express refusal in the future; "staying" is a gerund acting as the subject of the clause.

• We just gotta hold on tonight

  ➔ Informal modal phrase "gotta" = have got to + infinitive

  ➔ "Gotta" is the contracted form of "got to" (or "have got to"), meaning "must".

• Only I see all the diamonds, diamonds breaking down

  ➔ Subject‑verb inversion for emphasis; present simple with participle phrase

  ➔ The word "Only" at the beginning creates an inversion: "Only I see" emphasizes that no one else sees.

• This is not a swan song

  ➔ Negative present simple with linking verb "is" + noun phrase

  ➔ "Not" directly follows the verb "is" to negate the statement, forming "is not".