Tom's Diner – English Lyrics

• By: Giant Rooks, AnnenMayKantereit

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

I am sitting

In the morning

At the diner

On the corner

I am waiting

At the counter

For the man

To pour the coffee

And he fills it

Only halfway

And before I even argue

He is looking

Out the window

At somebody

Coming in

It is always nice to see you

Says the man behind the counter

To the woman who has come in

She is shaking her umbrella

And I look the other way

As they are kissing their hellos

And I'm pretending not to see them

And instead I pour the milk

I open

Up the paper

There's a story

Of an actor

Who had died

While he was drinking

It was no one

I had heard of

And I'm turning

To the horoscope

And looking for the funnies

When I'm feeling

Someone watching me

And so I raise my head

There's a woman

On the outside

Looking inside

Does she see me?

No she does not

Really see me

Cause she sees

Her own reflection

And I'm trying

Not to notice

That she's hitching

Up her skirt

And while she's

Straightening her stockings

Her hair

Has gotten wet

Oh, this rain

It will continue

Through the morning

As I'm listening

To the bells

Of the cathedral

I am thinking

Of your voice...

And of the midnight picnic

Once upon a time

Before the rain began...

I finish up my coffee

It's time to catch the train.

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Oh it is always nice to see you

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sitting /ˈsɪtɪŋ/ A1	verb - to be in a resting position on a chair or surface
waiting /ˈweɪtɪŋ/ A1	verb - to spend time until an expected event happens
pour /pɔːr/ A1	verb - to make a liquid flow from a container
coffee /ˈkɒfi/ A1	noun - a hot drink made from roasted coffee beans
window /ˈwɪndoʊ/ A1	noun - an opening in a wall or vehicle for light and air
umbrella /ʌmˈbrelə/ A1	noun - a device used for protection against rain or sun
newspaper /ˈnjuːzpeɪpər/ A1	noun - a printed publication with news and information
actor /ˈæktər/ A1	noun - a person who plays a role in a film, play, or show
horoscope /ˈhɒrəskəʊp/ B1	noun - a forecast of a person's future based on the positions of stars and planets
reflection /rɪˈflekʃən/ B2	noun - an image seen in a mirror or shiny surface
cathedral /kəˈθiːdrəl/ A2	noun - a large and important church
bells /bels/ A1	noun - a device that makes a ringing sound
listening /ˈlɪsnɪŋ/ A1	verb - to pay attention to sound
rain /reɪn/ A1	noun - water that falls from the clouds
train /treɪn/ A1	noun - a series of connected rail vehicles for transport

Key Grammar Structures

• I am sitting

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "I am sitting" uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening at the moment of speaking.

• It is always nice to see you

  ➔ Present Simple with Adverb of Frequency

  ➔ The phrase "It is always nice to see you" uses the present simple tense with the adverb "always" to indicate a habitual or general truth.

• She is shaking her umbrella

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "She is shaking her umbrella" uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening at the moment of observation.

• I'm pretending not to see them

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense with 'to-infinitive'

  ➔ The phrase "I'm pretending not to see them" uses the present continuous tense with a 'to-infinitive' to describe an action in progress with a purpose.

• Her hair has gotten wet

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The phrase "Her hair has gotten wet" uses the present perfect tense to describe an action that occurred in the past with results visible in the present.

• Once upon a time

  ➔ Past Tense Idiomatic Expression

  ➔ The phrase "Once upon a time" is an idiomatic expression used to introduce a story or event from the past.

• It's time to catch the train

  ➔ Present Tense with 'to-infinitive'

  ➔ The phrase "It's time to catch the train" uses the present tense with a 'to-infinitive' to indicate a necessity or scheduled action.