Swans – English Lyrics

• By: Camera Obscura

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the emotionally rich world of Camera Obscura's "Swans." This indie pop gem, known for its euphoric feel and introspective lyrics, offers a unique blend of grace and fear associated with love. By exploring themes of transformation and self-discovery, "Swans" invites listeners to connect with their own emotional landscapes through its captivating melody and poignant storytelling.

[English]

There's flowers in my house

And I bought them myself

No surprises in the record collection

You must have thought I was someone else

I'm still afraid to get lost

In a city I might explore

But I'm not afraid to have

An eloquent boy at my door

At my door, at my door, at my door

Oh, you want to be a writer

Fantastic idea

You say you've never seen America

I really think you'll like it there

Maybe you should travel with me

Is this the best idea

Because you've never seen a Redwood

And you've never touched a deer

A deer, a deer, a deer

A deer, a deer, my dear

...

Are swans deceiving us all?

Oh I for one should know

I never felt myself so graceful

And I never swam so slow

So slow, so slow, so slow

So slow, so slow, so slow

So slow, so slow, so slow

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
flower /ˈflaʊər/ A2	noun - a plant with a colorful blossom
record /ˈrɛkərd/ B1	noun - a stored musical performance or data
city /ˈsɪti/ A2	noun - a large town, a place with many buildings and people
explore /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ B2	verb - to travel to or investigate a place or idea
eloquent /ˈɛl.ə.kwənt/ C1	adjective - fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
deer /dɪər/ A2	noun - a hoofed grazing animal, common in woods and forests
graceful /ˈɡreɪs.fəl/ C1	adjective - having beauty of movement or form
swim /swɪm/ A2	verb - to move through water using limbs
deceive /dɪˈsiːv/ B2	verb - to mislead or trick someone
slow /sloʊ/ A2	adjective / adverb - not quick; at a low speed

Key Grammar Structures

• There's flowers in my house

  ➔ There is/are + noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase "There's flowers" indicates the existence of flowers in the speaker's house.

• You must have thought I was someone else

  ➔ Modal verb + have + past participle

  ➔ The phrase "You must have thought" expresses a strong assumption about a past belief.

• I'm still afraid to get lost

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "I'm still afraid" indicates a current ongoing state of fear.

• Oh, you want to be a writer

  ➔ Simple present tense for desires

  ➔ The phrase "you want to be" expresses a desire in the present.

• Because you've never seen a Redwood

  ➔ Present perfect tense for experiences

  ➔ The phrase "you've never seen" indicates a lack of experience up to the present.

• Are swans deceiving us all?

  ➔ Present continuous tense for ongoing actions

  ➔ The phrase "Are swans deceiving" suggests an ongoing action of deception.

• I never felt myself so graceful

  ➔ Simple past tense for past experiences

  ➔ The phrase "I never felt" indicates a past experience of not feeling graceful.