Time After Time – English Lyrics

• By: Cyndi Lauper

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the timeless pop classic "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper, a beautiful ballad that offers a wonderful opportunity to learn English through its emotional and relatable lyrics. You can explore expressions of unwavering support and deep connection, as well as common phrases related to time and relationships. The song's clear vocals and poignant storytelling make it an excellent choice for language learners to grasp nuances of English sentiment and vocabulary.

[English]

(owl hooting) (gentle music)

- I came to say goodbye. - But why, Boris? Why?

- [Boris] I've met up my mind. I'm going away.

- [Domini] Then I shall be alone.

- That journey into the desert you've spoken of,

you will take it alone.

- What else can I do?

- [Boris] Once you said to me that peace and happiness

might be found there.

You give me hope.

And now, now we have to say good bye.

- Good bye.

(wistful synthesizer music)

♪ Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you ♪

♪ Caught up in circles ♪

♪ Confusion is nothing new ♪

♪ Flashback, warm nights ♪

♪ Almost left behind ♪

♪ Suitcase of memories ♪

♪ Time after ♪

♪ Sometimes you picture me ♪

♪ I'm walking too far ahead ♪

♪ You're calling to me ♪

♪ I can't hear what you've said ♪

♪ Then you say, go slow ♪

♪ I fall behind ♪

♪ The second hand unwinds ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

(wistful synthesizer music continues)

♪ After my picture fades ♪

♪ And darkness has turned to gray ♪

♪ Watching through windows ♪

♪ You're wondering if I'm okay ♪

♪ Secrets stolen from deep inside ♪

♪ The drum beats out of time ♪

♪ If you're lost you can look and you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ You say, go slow ♪

♪ I fall behind ♪

♪ The second hand unwinds ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you're lost, you can look and you will find me ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

♪ Time after time ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
lying /ˈlaɪɪŋ/ A2	verb - being in or assuming a horizontal position on a surface.
hear /hɪr/ A1	verb - perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something).
clock /klɒk/ A1	noun - an instrument for measuring and showing time.
tick /tɪk/ A2	verb - (of a clock or watch) make a regular short, sharp sound. noun - the short, sharp sound made by a clock or watch.
think /θɪŋk/ A1	verb - have a particular belief or idea.
caught /kɔːt/ A2	verb - past tense of catch: to trap or seize.
circles /ˈsɜːrklz/ A2	noun - a round plane figure whose boundary consists of points equidistant from the center.
confusion /kənˈfjuːʒən/ B2	noun - the state of being bewildered or unclear in one's mind about something.
flashback /ˈflæʃbæk/ B2	noun - a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story.
nights /naɪts/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours.
warm /wɔːrm/ A2	adjective - having or producing a comfortably high temperature.
left /left/ A1	verb - go away from.
suitcase /ˈsuːtkeɪs/ A2	noun - a rectangular container with a handle, for carrying clothes and other personal belongings when traveling.
memories /ˈmeməriz/ A2	noun - something remembered from the past; a recollection.
picture /ˈpɪktʃər/ A2	verb - imagine; visualize. noun - a painting or drawing.
walking /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/ A1	verb - move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
far /fɑːr/ A1	adjective - situated at a great distance.
calling /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/ A2	verb - to cry out (a word or words)
hear /hɪr/ A1	verb - perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something).
slow /sloʊ/ A1	adjective - moving or operating at a low speed.
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - move downwards, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.
lost /lɔːst/ A2	adjective - unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts.
waiting /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ A1	verb - stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.
fades /feɪdz/ B1	verb - gradually cease to be visible; lose color or freshness.
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ B1	noun - the state of being dark.
gray /ɡreɪ/ A1	adjective - of a color intermediate between black and white, as of ashes or lead.
watching /ˈwɒtʃɪŋ/ A1	verb - look at attentively, typically for an extended period of time.
windows /ˈwɪndoʊz/ A1	noun - an opening in the wall or roof of a building or vehicle that is fitted with glass or other transparent material in a frame to admit light or air and allow people to see out.
wondering /ˈwʌndərɪŋ/ B1	verb - feel curiosity or doubt about something.
okay /oʊˈkeɪ/ A1	adjective - satisfactory but not exceptionally good.
secrets /ˈsiːkrɪts/ B1	noun - something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
stolen /ˈstoʊlən/ B1	verb - past participle of steal: take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
deep /diːp/ A2	adjective - extending far down from the top or surface.
drum /drʌm/ A2	noun - a percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped, with a taut membrane over one or both ends.
beats /biːts/ A2	verb - strike (something) repeatedly.

Key Grammar Structures

• I've made up my mind. I'm going away.

  ➔ Present Perfect (I've made up) and Present Continuous for future plans (I'm going).

  ➔ The "present perfect" (I've made up) indicates a completed action with relevance to the present. "Present continuous" (I'm going) is used to talk about arrangements and plans in the near future.

• Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you.

  ➔ Participle clause ("Lying in my bed").

  ➔ "Lying in my bed" is a participle clause of reason, explaining why the speaker hears the clock tick and thinks of someone. It's a shortened form of "Because I am lying in my bed...".

• Caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new.

  ➔ Passive participle ("Caught up") acting as an adjective. Negative statement with "nothing".

  ➔ "Caught up in circles" means being involved in a repetitive or difficult situation. "Confusion is nothing new" means that confusion has been experienced many times before, it's a familiar feeling.

• Sometimes you picture me, I'm walking too far ahead.

  ➔ Present Simple for habitual action (you picture). Adverb of degree "too" with adjective "far".

  ➔ "You picture me" describes the act of imagining someone. "Too far ahead" indicates an excessive distance or progress beyond a certain point.

• If you're lost, you can look and you will find me

  ➔ First Conditional ("If you're lost, you will find me"). Use of modal verb "can".

  ➔ First conditional expresses a real possibility in the future. "Can" expresses possibility or ability.

• After my picture fades, and darkness has turned to gray

  ➔ Temporal clause with "after". Present Perfect tense (has turned).

  ➔ "After my picture fades" introduces the time frame when the next event occurs. "Has turned to gray" indicates a completed change or transition to a new state.

• Secrets stolen from deep inside, The drum beats out of time

  ➔ Passive participle ("stolen") acting as an adjective. "Out of" expressing lack of something.

  ➔ "Secrets stolen from deep inside" suggests that the secrets were forcibly taken from within a person. "Out of time" indicates the drum's rhythm is irregular or not synchronized with the expected beat.

• You say, go slow. I fall behind.

  ➔ Imperative "go slow". Short, declarative sentences showing direct cause and effect.

  ➔ "Go slow" is a direct order to reduce speed. "I fall behind" is a consequence of someone telling the speaker to slow down; the speaker is no longer keeping pace.