Tompkins Square Park – English Lyrics

• By: Mumford & Sons
• Album: RUSHMERE

Lyrics & Translation

“Tompkins Square Park” offers a poignant exploration of love, doubt, and goodbyes, set against the evocative backdrop of New York City. Through its introspective lyrics and evolving sound, the song provides a rich vocabulary for expressing complex emotions and a deeper understanding of contemporary English songcraft. Its blend of indie rock and post-punk elements makes it a compelling piece for language learners interested in modern lyrical expression and musical storytelling.

[English]

Oh babe, meet me in Tompkins Square Park

I wanna hold you in the dark

One last time

Just one last time

Oh babe, can you tell what's on my tongue?

Can you guess that I'll be gone?

With the twilight

With the twilight

And no flame burns forever, oh no

You and I both know this song too well

And most don't even last the night

No they don't, just say they don't

Oh, babe, I never been so lost

I wanna hear you lie one last time

Just one last time

But oh, babe

I really wish you were not cry

I only ever told you one lie

When it could have been a thousand

It might as well been a thousand

But no flame burns forever, oh no

You and I both know this song too well

And most don't even last the night

No they don't, just say they don't

And we can talk it around again girl

Around and around

Around and around again

We could leave it out tonight

Leave it out

Just leave it out

I never tried to trick you, baby

I just tried to work it out

But I was hold swallowed up by doubt

If only things were black and white

'Cause I just want to hold you tight

Without holding back my mind

Without holding back my mind

...

But no flame burns forever, oh no

You and I both know this song too well

And most don't even last the night

No they don't, just say they don't

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
babe /beɪb/ A2	noun - a term of endearment for a loved one
dark /dɑrk/ A1	adjective - having little or no light
twilight /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/ B2	noun - the time of day just before night when the light is fading
flame /fleɪm/ B1	noun - the visible, gaseous part of a fire
lost /lɔst/ B1	adjective - unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts
wish /wɪʃ/ B1	verb - to desire something to happen
talk /tɔk/ A1	verb - to speak in order to give information or express ideas
try /traɪ/ A2	verb - to make an attempt or effort to do something
work /wɜrk/ A2	verb - to perform a task or function
tight /taɪt/ B1	adjective - firmly held in place; not loose
doubt /daʊt/ B2	noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction
around /əˈraʊnd/ A2	adverb - in a circular direction; surrounding