The Show Must Go On – English Lyrics

• By: Celine Dion, Lindsey Stirling

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the power of music to express resilience with Celine Dion and Lindsey Stirling's rendition of "The Show Must Go On." This song offers a poignant lesson in overcoming adversity, with powerful verbs and emotive adjectives that are central to its message of strength. Learning the lyrics provides insight into how music can be a source of comfort and determination during life's most challenging moments.

[English]

Empty spaces

What are we living for?

Abandoned places

I guess we know the score

On and on

Does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero

Another mindless crime

Behind the curtain

In the pantomime

Hold the line

Does anybody want to take it anymore?

The show must go on

The show must go on, yeah

Ooh, inside my heart is breaking

My makeup may be flaking

But my smile still stays on

Whatever happens

I'll leave it all to chance

Another heartache

Another failed romance

On and on

Does anybody know what we are living for?

I guess I'm learning (I'm learning)

I must be warmer now (learning, learning)

I'll soon be turning (turning, turning, turning)

'Round the corner now

Outside the dawn is breaking

But inside, in the dark, I'm aching to be free

The show must go on (yeah)

The show must go on (yeah)

Ooh, inside my heart is breaking

My makeup may be flaking

But my smile still stays on

Yeah (ah-ah)

Oh-oh (ah-ah), oh-oh-ah!

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies

Fairytales of yesterday will grow, but never die

I can fly, my friends

The show must go on (yeah)

The show must go on (yeah-yeah)

I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in

On with the show

(Ah-ah, ah-ah)

Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill

I have to find the will to carry on

(On with the, on with the) show

The show must go on

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
abandoned /əˈbændənd/ B2	adjective - having been deserted or left
hero /ˈhɪəroʊ/ B1	noun - a person admired for courage or noble qualities
curtain /ˈkɜːrtən/ A2	noun - a piece of fabric hung to cover a window or stage
breaking /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/ B1	verb - to separate into pieces adjective - causing emotional distress
makeup /ˈmeɪkʌp/ A2	noun - cosmetics used to enhance appearance
chance /tʃɑːns/ A2	noun - a possibility of something happening
heartache /ˈhɑːrtˌeɪk/ B2	noun - emotional anguish or grief
romance /roʊˈmæns/ B1	noun - a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love
learning /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/ A2	verb - to gain knowledge or skill
aching /ˈeɪkɪŋ/ B2	verb - to feel a dull or continuous pain adjective - experiencing a dull pain
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being
painted /ˈpeɪntɪd/ A2	verb - to cover with color
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to move through the air using wings
face /feɪs/ A1	verb - to deal with or confront noun - the front part of the head
grin /ɡrɪn/ A2	noun - a wide smile
will /wɪl/ B1	noun - determination
carry /ˈkæri/ A1	verb - to hold and transport
bill /bɪl/ A2	noun - a poster advertising a performance
overkill /ˈoʊvərkɪl/ C1	noun - excessive use of force or resources

Key Grammar Structures

• Empty spaces

  ➔ Adjective + Noun (plural)

  ➔ The adjective "empty" modifies the noun "spaces", which is plural, indicating multiple empty areas.

• What are we living for?

  ➔ Present Continuous + Question Word

  ➔ Uses the present continuous tense ("are living") to ask a question about the ongoing purpose or reason for their lives, using the question word "what".

• I guess we know the score

  ➔ Verb 'guess' + Present Simple

  ➔ Uses the verb "guess" to express an opinion or belief. The rest of the sentence is in the present simple tense.

• Does anybody know what we are looking for?

  ➔ Present Simple (auxiliary verb 'does') + Present Continuous

  ➔ A question using the present simple tense (with the auxiliary verb "does") and the present continuous tense. "Does anybody know" is present simple while "are looking for" is present continuous, forming the structure for a question about a present ongoing search.

• Another hero

  ➔ Adjective + Noun (singular)

  ➔ The adjective "another" modifies the singular noun "hero", suggesting a different or additional hero.

• My makeup may be flaking

  ➔ Modal verb 'may' + Passive voice

  ➔ The modal verb "may" expresses possibility. The phrase "be flaking" uses the passive voice structure (be + past participle).

• Whatever happens

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ This phrase uses the subjunctive mood, often used after "whatever," to express an action or state that may or may not occur. It indicates that it does not matter what will happen.

• I'll leave it all to chance

  ➔ Future Simple (contracted 'I'll')

  ➔ Uses the future simple tense with the contraction "I'll" (I will), indicating a decision or intention made at the moment of speaking. The phrase expresses the decision to let the events be decided by chance.

• I must be warmer now

  ➔ Modal verb 'must' + Comparative Adjective

  ➔ The modal verb "must" implies a deduction or strong likelihood. The word "warmer" is the comparative form of the adjective "warm", indicating an increase in warmth.

• Outside the dawn is breaking

  ➔ Present Continuous + Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ Uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now, with the prepositional phrase "Outside" to indicate the location.