The Unforgiven – English Lyrics

• By: Metallica
• Album: Metallica

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Metallica's "The Unforgiven," a compelling power ballad that tells a deeply emotional story through its intricate lyrics and unique musical structure. As you listen, pay attention to James Hetfield's powerful vocal delivery and the contrasting heavy verses with the melodic chorus – it's a masterclass in musical storytelling. This song offers a rich vocabulary related to personal struggle, regret, and defiance, providing excellent insights into English expressions of deep emotion and conflict. Its profound narrative and distinct sound make it a special piece for language learners to explore and understand the nuances of poetic and impactful English.

[English]

New blood joins this Earth

And quickly he's subdued

Through constant pained disgrace

The young boy learns their rules

With time the child draws in

This whipping boy done wrong

Deprived of all his thoughts

The young man struggles on and on, he's known

Ooh, a vow unto his own

That never from this day

His will they'll take away

What I've felt, what I've known

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never be, never see

Won't see what might have been

What I've felt, what I've known

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never free, never me

So I dub thee unforgiven

...

They dedicate their lives

To running all of his

He tries to please them all

This bitter man he is

Throughout his life the same

He's battled constantly

This fight he cannot win

A tired man they see no longer cares

The old man then prepares

To die regretfully

That old man here is me

What I've felt, what I've known

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never be, never see

Won't see what might have been

What I've felt, what I've known

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never free, never me

So I dub thee unforgiven

...

What I've felt, what I've known

...

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never be, never see

...

Won't see what might have been

What I've felt, what I've known

Never shined through in what I've shown

Never free, never me

So I dub thee unforgiven

Oh-ooh-oh

...

Never free, never me

...

So I dub thee unforgiven

You labeled me, I'll label you

...

So I dub thee unforgiven

...

Never free, never me

So I dub thee unforgiven

...

You labeled me, I'll label you

So I dub thee unforgiven

Never free, never me

So I dub thee unforgiven

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red liquid that flows through the veins of humans and animals
subdued /səbˈdjuːd/ B2	verb - to make less strong or intense; to quiet or control
disgrace /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ B2	noun - loss of reputation or respect, especially because of a dishonorable act
draws /drɔːz/ B1	verb - to pull or drag something so as to make it follow behind
deprived /dɪˈpraɪvd/ B2	verb - to take away or keep from possessing or enjoying
struggles /ˈstrʌɡlz/ B2	verb - to try hard to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult
willing /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ B2	adjective - ready or eager to do something
vow /vaʊ/ B2	noun - a serious promise or pledge
regretfully /rɪˈɡrɛtfəli/ C1	adverb - in a way that shows sadness or disappointment about something that happened
labelled /ˈleɪbld/ B2	verb - to assign a name or description to something

Key Grammar Structures

• New blood joins this Earth

  ➔ present simple tense for habitual action

  ➔ Uses the **present simple** tense to describe a general fact or a habitual event.

• The young boy learns their rules

  ➔ present simple tense for general truth

  ➔ Expresses a **general truth** or habitual action in the present.

• Through constant pained disgrace

  ➔ adjective + noun to describe a state or condition

  ➔ **Adjective + noun** combination describes the noun's characteristic or state.

• He is known

  ➔ passive voice in present tense

  ➔ Expresses that the subject **is known** by others, using passive voice in present tense.

• Never be, never see

  ➔ adverb + base verb + conjunction + base verb

  ➔ Uses adverbs **never** with base form of verbs to emphasize negation or impossibility.

• So I dub thee unforgiven

  ➔ simple present tense with first person subject + verb + object + compliment

  ➔ Uses **simple present tense** to make a statement or declaration, with the subject doing the action.

• You labeled me, I'll label you

  ➔ simple past tense + comma + simple future tense with 'will'

  ➔ Combines **past simple** and **future with 'will'** to contrast past action and future intent.