The Light – English Lyrics

• By: Common

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into 'The Light' by Common, a soulful hip-hop anthem that offers a beautiful exploration of love, respect, and commitment. This track is not only a lyrical masterpiece but also a refreshing departure from common themes, providing rich vocabulary and genuine emotional expression, making it an excellent song to deepen your understanding of English through its powerful narrative.

[English]

♪ Yeah Yeah Yeah ♪

♪ There are times ♪

♪ When you need someone ♪

♪ I will be by your side ♪

♪ Wassup Wassup ♪

♪ There is a light that shines ♪

♪ Special for you and me ♪

♪ Yo yo, I never knew a luh-luh-luh, a love like this ♪

♪ Gotta be somethin' for me to write this ♪

♪ Queen, I ain't seen you in a minute ♪

♪ Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it ♪

♪ Signed, sealed, delivered, for us to grow together ♪

♪ Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever ♪

♪ I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you ♪

♪ I ain't gon' assault em, 'cause I probably did it too ♪

♪ Because of you, feelings I handle with care ♪

♪ Some * recognize the light ♪

♪ But they can't handle the glare ♪

♪ You know I ain't the type ♪

♪ To walk around with matchin' shirts ♪

♪ If relationship is effort, I will match your work ♪

♪ I want to be the one to make you happiest ♪

♪ And hurt you the most ♪

♪ They say the end is near, it's important that we're close ♪

♪ To the Most High ♪

♪ Regardless of what happen, ♪

♪ On him let's rely ♪

♪ There are times ♪

♪ When you'll need someone ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I will be by your side ♪

♪ Wassup Wassup ♪

♪ There is a light that shines ♪

♪ Special for you and me ♪

♪ Yo Yo Check it ♪

♪ It's important we communicate ♪

♪ And tune the fate of this union to the right pitch ♪

♪ I never call you my *, or even my boo ♪

♪ There's so much in a name, and so much more in you ♪

♪ Few understand the union of woman and man ♪

♪ And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land ♪

♪ But that's fly by night, for you in the sky I write ♪

♪ For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light ♪

♪ If Heaven had a height, you would be that tall ♪

♪ Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all ♪

♪ Let's stick to understandin' and we won't fall ♪

♪ For better or worse times, I hope to me you call ♪

♪ So I pray every day more than anything ♪

♪ Friends we'll stay as we begin to lay ♪

♪ This foundation for a family, love ain't simple ♪

♪ Why can't it be anything worth ♪

♪ Having you work at annually ♪

♪ Granted we known each other for some time ♪

♪ It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine ♪

♪ There are times ♪

♪ When you'll need someone ♪

♪ I will be by your side ♪

♪ (oh darlin') ♪

♪ There is a light that shines ♪

♪ Special for you and me ♪

♪Yo Yo Check it ♪

♪ It's kind of fresh you listen to more than hip-hop ♪

♪ And I can catch you in the mix ♪

♪ from beauty to thrift shop ♪

♪ Plus you shit pop when it's time to ♪

♪ Thinkin' you fresh, suggestin' beats I should rhyme to ♪

♪ At times when I'm lost I try to find you ♪

♪ You know to give me space when it's time to ♪

♪ My heart's dictionary defines you, ♪

♪ It's love and happiness ♪

♪ Truthfully it's hard tryin' to practice abstinence ♪

♪ The time we committed love, it was real good ♪

♪ Had to be for me to arrive and it still feel good ♪

♪ I know the sex ain't gon' keep you ♪

♪ But as my equal, it's how I must treat you ♪

♪ As my reflection in light I'ma lead you ♪

♪ And whatever's right I'ma feed you ♪

♪ Digga-da, digga-da, digga-da, digga-digga-da-da ♪

♪ Yo, I tell you the rest when I see you; peace ♪

♪ There are times ♪

♪ When you'll need someone ♪

♪ I will be by your side ♪

♪ Oh darlin' ♪

♪ There is a light that shines ♪

♪ Special for you and me ♪

♪ I'll take my chances ♪

♪ Before they pass ♪

♪ Pass me by, ♪

♪ Oh, darling ♪

♪ You need to look at the other side ♪

♪ You'll agree ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible adjective - not heavy
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - feel deep affection for
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood
feelings /ˈfiːlɪŋz/ A2	noun - an emotional state or reaction
relationship /rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/ B1	noun - the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.
work /wɜːrk/ A1	noun - activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. verb - be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result.
communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ B1	verb - share or exchange information, news, or ideas.
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A2	verb - perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker).
pray /preɪ/ A2	verb - address a solemn request or expression of thanks to God or another deity.
family /ˈfæməli/ A1	noun - a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.
lost /lɔːst/ A2	adjective - unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.
happiness /ˈhæpinəs/ B1	noun - the state of being happy.
equal /ˈiːkwəl/ B1	adjective - being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. noun - a person or thing that is the same as another in quantity, size, degree, or value.
reflection /rɪˈflekʃən/ B2	noun - the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

Key Grammar Structures

• I ain't seen you in a minute

  ➔ Double Negative (Non-standard English)

  ➔ "Ain't" is a contraction of "am not," "is not," or "are not," and "seen" is used as past participle. While grammatically incorrect, it's common in some dialects. More standard English would be "I haven't seen you in a minute."

• Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever

  ➔ Imperative mood (Let's) + adverb of manner

  ➔ "Let's spend it..." is a suggestion, an imperative. "Slow" is used informally as an adverb modifying "spend", standard English would be "slowly". "Forever" is an adverb of time.

• I want to be the one to make you happiest

  ➔ Superlative Adjective (Non-standard)

  ➔ The superlative form of "happy" is "happiest," but it's used incorrectly here. One should say "the happiest".

• Regardless of what happen, On him let's rely

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (incorrect) + Imperative with preposition misuse

  ➔ "Happen" should be "happens" or, more correctly in this context, "may happen". Also, the phrase should be "let's rely on him", not "on him let's rely". The standard sentence could be "Regardless of what happens, let's rely on Him."

• It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

  ➔ Subject-verb agreement (Non-standard)

  ➔ The subject "It" is singular, so the verb should be "doesn't" instead of "don't." The standard sentence should be, "It doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine."

• Truthfully it's hard tryin' to practice abstinence

  ➔ Ellipsis (Missing "is") + Gerund after adjective

  ➔ The sentence implies "Truthfully, it is hard trying to practice abstinence." The verb "is" is omitted (ellipsis). Also, "trying" is a gerund used after the adjective "hard."