The Nights – English Lyrics

• By: Avicii

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the universally inspiring message of Avicii's 'The Nights.' This song offers a perfect opportunity to learn English through its clear, heartfelt lyrics about living a life without regrets. Its blend of storytelling and energetic music makes it a memorable and motivating way to enhance your language skills.

[English]

Hey, once upon a younger year

When all our shadows disappeared

The animals inside came out to play

Hey, when face to face with all our fears

Learned our lessons through the tears

Made memories we knew would never fade

One day my father—he told me,

"Son, don't let it slip away"

He took me in his arms, I heard him say,

"When you get older

Your wild life will live for younger days

Think of me if ever you're afraid."

He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind

So live a life you will remember."

My father told me when I was just a child

These are the nights that never die

My father told me

When thunder clouds start pouring down

Light a fire they can't put out

Carve your name into those shinning stars

He said, "Go venture far beyond the shores.

Don't forsake this life of yours.

I'll guide you home no matter where you are."

One day my father—he told me,

"Son, don't let it slip away."

When I was just a kid I heard him say,

"When you get older

Your wild life will live for younger days

Think of me if ever you're afraid."

He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind

So live a life you will remember."

My father told me when I was just a child

These are the nights that never die

My father told me

These are the nights that never die

My father told me

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
father /ˈfɑːðər/ A1	noun - a male parent
life /laɪf/ A2	noun - the existence of an individual organism; existence in general
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
memory /ˈmɛməri/ B1	noun - the ability to recall past experiences or information
fear /fɪər/ B1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous
shadow /ˈʃædəʊ/ A2	noun - a dark shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - combustion or burning that produces heat and light
star /stɑːr/ A1	noun - a luminous celestial body visible at night
cloud /klaʊd/ A1	noun - a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries and peoples
older /ˈəʊldə/ B1	adjective - more advanced in age
wild /waɪld/ B2	adjective - untamed, not domesticated or controlled
venture /ˈvɛntʃər/ B2	verb - to go or undertake something risky or uncertain
guide /ɡaɪd/ B2	verb - to lead or direct the way
remember /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ B1	verb - to keep something in mind; recall
thunder /ˈθʌn.dər/ B2	noun - the loud sound caused by lightning in the atmosphere
slip /slɪp/ B2	verb - to move unintentionally but smoothly, giving up grip

Key Grammar Structures

• When all our shadows disappeared

  ➔ Past simple passive

  ➔ The verb 'disappeared' shows an action that happened in the past and affected 'our shadows.' It describes an event rather than an ongoing state.

• Learned our lessons through the tears

  ➔ Past simple tense with figurative object

  ➔ The phrase 'learned our lessons' means gaining wisdom from difficulties ('through the tears'), expressing metaphorical learning.

• Don't let it slip away

  ➔ Imperative with negative form

  ➔ The word 'Don't' introduces a negative command telling someone to avoid losing or forgetting something ('it').

• Think of me if ever you're afraid

  ➔ Conditional clause without 'then'

  ➔ 'If ever' intensifies the condition, meaning 'whenever'. It forms an emotional conditional without the typical 'then' result clause connector.

• One day you'll leave this world behind

  ➔ Future simple with modal prediction

  ➔ The auxiliary 'will' shows prediction or certainty about a future event ('leave this world behind').

• Live a life you will remember

  ➔ Relative clause defining 'life'

  ➔ 'You will remember' modifies 'life' showing the type of life to live (a memorable one).

• Light a fire they can't put out

  ➔ Imperative + relative clause with modal

  ➔ 'They can't put out' modifies 'fire,' meaning the fire is unstoppable; imperative 'Light' gives the instruction.

• Don't forsake this life of yours

  ➔ Negative imperative with reflexive possessive

  ➔ 'Of yours' intensifies possession, emphasizing that the 'life' belongs deeply to the listener; 'Don't forsake' is a strong negative command.