The Old Religion – English Lyrics

• By: Florence + The Machine
• Album: Everybody Scream

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the evocative world of Florence + The Machine with "The Old Religion." This song, rooted in the grand, mystical sound the band is known for, offers a powerful emotional language centered on seeking freedom from pain. By exploring its rich lyrics and dramatic arrangement, you can begin to unlock the deeper layers of catharsis and vulnerability that Florence Welch weaves into her evocative English artistry.

[English]

Any old religion humming in your veins

Some animal instinct starting up again

And I am wound so tightly, I hardly even breathe

You wonder why we're hungry for some kind of release

So tired of being careful, so tired of being still

Give me something I can crush, something I can kill

A lightning strike, a fallen tree

I'm not afraid, oh, don't let it find me

But you can't outrun yourself, you'll see

And I'm powerless, oh, don't remind me

And it's the old religion

But the urge remains the same

Freedom from the body, freedom from the pain

And it's your troubled hero

Back for season six

When it's at its darkest, it's my favourite bit

And I am wound so tightly, I hardly even breathe

You wonder why we're hungry for some kind of release

Watch me crawl on hands and knees

And scratch at the door of Heaven

A lightning strike, a fallen tree

I'm not afraid, oh, don't let it find me

But you can't outrun yourself, you'll see

And I'm powerless, I know and don't remind me

And it's the old religion humming in your veins

Some animal instinct starting up again

And I am wound so tightly, I hardly even breathe

You wonder why we're hungry for some kind of release

A lightning strike, a fallen tree (and it's the old religion)

I'm not afraid, oh, don't let it find me

But you can't outrun yourself, you'll see (and it's the old religion)

And I'm powerless, oh, don't remind me

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
old /oʊld/ A1	adjective - having existed for a long time adjective - previous or former
religion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ A2	noun - a system of faith and worship
animal /ˈænɪməl/ A1	noun - a living thing that moves and feeds on organic matter adjective - relating to physical instincts rather than reason
instinct /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ B2	noun - an inborn pattern of behavior
release /rɪˈliːs/ B1	noun - freedom from something unpleasant verb - to allow to be free
lightning /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ B2	noun - a flash of light in the sky
strike /straɪk/ B1	noun - a sudden attack or hit verb - to hit suddenly and with force
tree /triː/ A1	noun - a woody perennial plant
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ A1	adjective - feeling fear
outrun /ˌaʊtˈrʌn/ B2	verb - to run faster than someone or something else
powerless /ˈpaʊərləs/ B2	adjective - without power or control
urge /ɜːrdʒ/ B2	noun - a strong desire or impulse verb - to strongly encourage
remind /rɪˈmaɪnd/ A2	verb - to cause to remember something
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B1	noun - the power to act, speak, or think without hindrance
body /ˈbɑːdi/ A1	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
troubled /ˈtrʌbəld/ B2	adjective - experiencing mental unrest or worry
hero /ˈhɪroʊ/ B1	noun - a person admired for bravery or achievements

Key Grammar Structures

• Any old religion humming in your veins

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase 'humming in your veins' uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the religion's influence.

• I am wound so tightly, I hardly even breathe

  ➔ Present Simple Tense with Adverb

  ➔ The phrase 'hardly even breathe' uses an adverb to modify the verb 'breathe', emphasizing the minimal nature of the action due to being 'wound so tightly'.

• You wonder why we're hungry for some kind of release

  ➔ Present Simple Tense with Modal Verb

  ➔ The phrase 'you wonder' uses the modal verb 'wonder' to express a possibility or uncertainty about the reason for being 'hungry for some kind of release'.

• Give me something I can crush, something I can kill

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase 'Give me' is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or request.

• I'm not afraid, oh, don't let it find me

  ➔ Negative Contraction and Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase 'I'm not afraid' uses a negative contraction, and 'don't let it find me' is in the imperative mood, expressing a strong request or prohibition.

• And it's the old religion, but the urge remains the same

  ➔ Contrastive Conjunction

  ➔ The phrase 'but the urge remains the same' uses the contrastive conjunction 'but' to show a contrast between the old religion and the unchanged urge.

• Watch me crawl on hands and knees

  ➔ Imperative Mood with Object Pronoun

  ➔ The phrase 'Watch me' uses the imperative mood with the object pronoun 'me', directing the listener to observe the action.

• And I'm powerless, oh, don't remind me

  ➔ Comma Splice

  ➔ The phrase uses a comma splice to join two independent clauses: 'And I'm powerless' and 'oh, don't remind me', which is a stylistic choice in songwriting.