The World's Greatest – English Lyrics

• By: R.Kelly
• Album: Proud

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language can be a journey of self-empowerment, and R. Kelly's 'The World's Greatest' is the perfect soundtrack for it. Through its powerful metaphors of strength and perseverance ('I am a mountain,' 'I am a lion'), you can learn vocabulary that expresses determination and self-confidence. The song’s clear and repetitive chorus makes it a great tool for practicing pronunciation and building a positive mindset on your path to fluency.

[English]

Yeah, uh

Uh

I'm all, I'm all

Yeah, uh

It's the world's greatest, y'all

It's the world's greatest

C'mon, yeah

The world's greatest

I am a mountain, I am a tall tree, oh

I am a swift wind, sweeping the country

I am a river down in the valley, oh

I am a vision and I can see clearly

If anybody asks you who I am

Just stand up tall

Look 'em in the face and say

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey, I made it, hmm

I'm the world's greatest, hmm

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it, hmm

I'm the world's greatest

I'm the world's greatest, y'all

The world's greatest

Forever

I am a giant, I am an eagle, oh

...

I am a lion down in the jungle

I am a marching band, I am the people, oh

I am a helping hand I am a hero, oh

If anybody asks you who I am

Just stand up tall

Look 'em in the face and say

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey, I made it, hmm

I'm the world's greatest, hmm

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it, hmm

I'm the world's greatest

In the ring of life, I'll reign love (I will reign)

And the world will notice a king (oh, yeah)

Where there's darkness, I'll shine a light (shine a light)

And mirrors of success reflect in me (me)

...

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey, I made it (said I made it)

I'm the world's greatest (I'm that little bit)

I'm that little bit of hope (of hope, yeah)

When my backs against the ropes (I can)

I can feel it (feel it)

I'm the world's greatest (oh)

I'm that star up in the sky (star up in the sky)

I'm that mountain peak up high (oh yes, I am)

Hey, I made it (I made it)

I'm the world's greatest (I'm that little bit of hope, yeah)

I'm that little bit of hope (oh)

When my backs against the ropes (when my backs against the ropes)

I can feel it (I can feel)

I'm the world's greatest (I saw the light)

I'm that star up in the sky (at the end of a tunnel)

I'm that mountain peak up high (believe in the pot of gold)

Hey, I made it (at the end of the rainbow)

I'm the world's greatest (and faith was right there)

I'm that little bit of hope (to pull me through, yeah)

When my backs against the ropes (used to be locked doors)

I can feel it (now I can just walk on through)

I'm the world's greatest

(Say it's the greatest) it's the greatest

(Can you feel it?) Can you feel it?

(Say the greatest, yeah) say the greatest

(Can you feel it?) Can you feel it

(I saw the light) it's the greatest

(At the end of a tunnel) can you feel it?

(Believe in the pot of gold) it's the greatest

(At the end of the rainbow) can you feel it

(And faith was right there) it's the greatest

(To pull me through, yeah) can you feel it

(It used to be locked doors) it's the greatest

(Now I can just walk on through) can you feel it (hey)

It's the greatest (hey-hey-hey-hey-hey)

Can you feel it?

It's the greatest (it's the greatest)

Can you feel it? (I'm that star up in the sky)

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey, I made it (I made it y'all)

I'm the world's greatest

I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it

I'm the world's greatest

I'm that star in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mountain /ˈmaʊntən/ A1	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level
tree /triː/ A1	noun - a woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground
wind /wɪnd/ A1	noun - the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction. verb - to move or cause to move in a spiral or circular course.
river /ˈrɪvər/ A1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream
valley /ˈvæli/ A2	noun - a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it
vision /ˈvɪʒən/ B2	noun - the faculty or state of being able to see noun - the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom
star /stɑːr/ A1	noun - a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
peak /piːk/ B1	noun - the pointed top of a mountain
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - want something to happen or be the case.
ropes /roʊps/ B2	noun - lengths of thick strong cord made by twisting together strands of hemp, sisal, nylon, or similar material
giant /ˈdʒaɪənt/ A2	noun - an imaginary or mythical being of human form but superhuman size
eagle /ˈiːɡəl/ A2	noun - a large bird of prey with a massive head and beak, long broad wings, and strong soaring flight
lion /ˈlaɪən/ A1	noun - a large tawny-colored cat that lives in groups (prides). Males have a mane around their neck
jungle /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/ A2	noun - an area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation, typically in the tropics
hero /ˈhɪroʊ/ A2	noun - a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ B1	noun - the state of being dark
success /səkˈses/ B1	noun - the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
faith /feɪθ/ B1	noun - complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Key Grammar Structures

• I am a mountain, I am a tall tree

  ➔ Use of the verb "to be" for identification and description.

  ➔ The sentence identifies the speaker with natural elements using the verb "am" (a form of "to be").

• I am a swift wind, sweeping the country

  ➔ Present participle ("sweeping") as an adjective modifying "wind".

  ➔ The word "sweeping" acts as an adjective describing the action of the "swift wind".

• If anybody asks you who I am, just stand up tall

  ➔ Conditional clause using "if" + present simple. Imperative sentence.

  ➔ The "if" clause sets a condition, and "just stand up tall" is a direct command/instruction.

• I'm that star up in the sky

  ➔ Use of "that" as a demonstrative pronoun to emphasize a specific star.

  ➔ "That star" implies it's not just any star, but a particular one.

• When my backs against the ropes

  ➔ Use of "when" to introduce a time clause, describing a specific situation.

  ➔ "When my backs against the ropes" describes the specific time/situation when the following action/feeling occurs.

• I can feel it, hmm

  ➔ Use of modal verb "can" to express ability or possibility. Tag question implied.

  ➔ "Can feel" indicates the speaker is able to experience the feeling. The "hmm" implies a confirmation-seeking tag question.

• In the ring of life, I'll reign love

  ➔ Use of future tense "I'll" (I will) to express an intention or prediction.

  ➔ "I'll reign love" expresses a future intention to spread love in the context of life.

• And the world will notice a king

  ➔ Use of future modal "will" to express a future event that is likely to happen.

  ➔ "The world will notice" expresses the speaker's confidence that the world will recognize them as a king.