True North – English Lyrics

• By: a-ha
• Album: True North

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a captivating journey with a-ha's "True North," a song steeped in the breathtaking landscapes and profound reflections of Arctic Norway. This track, from their critically acclaimed 2022 album, offers a unique opportunity to connect with Norwegian culture through its mature, cinematic sound and thoughtful lyrics that explore themes of nature, human connection, and finding one's inner compass. Discover how a-ha's artistry has evolved, making "True North" a rich and meaningful experience for listeners worldwide, while also providing a window into the band's Scandinavian roots.

[English]

As the crow flies

In a line from A to B

No more false starts

Just find your way to me

Due north

You just have to believe

And sail to the end of the world

But good sailors always return

So hold on to hope and

Pray there will be

Fair wind and following sea

As the tide is turning

And I am far from shore

You're the night-time beacon

Guiding me to port

Due north

My true

True north

We just have to believe

And sail to the end of the world

A good sailor always returns

So hold on to hope and

Just pray there will be

Fair winds and following seas

Windward turns are how we learn

How to be free

And through the dark

We will sail by the stars

On fair wind and following sea

True north

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
crow /kroʊ/ A2	noun - a large black bird with a harsh cry
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - to travel on water in a ship or boat noun - a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features.
sailor /ˈseɪlər/ A2	noun - a person who works on a ship or boat
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
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.
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses
tide /taɪd/ B1	noun - the alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon and sun.
shore /ʃɔːr/ A2	noun - the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water
beacon /ˈbiːkən/ B2	noun - a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.
port /pɔːrt/ A2	noun - a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload, especially one where customs officials are stationed.
true /truː/ A1	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
dark /dɑːrk/ A1	adjective - with little or no light
stars /stɑːrz/ A1	noun - a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
fair /feər/ A2	adjective - treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination.

Key Grammar Structures

• As the crow flies

  ➔ Simile (figurative language)

  ➔ This line uses a simile. It is comparing the straightness of a bird's flight to a direct path. The implied meaning is directly, efficiently and without deviation

• Just find your way to me

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ This is a direct command or request. The subject "you" is implied.

• You just have to believe

  ➔ Modal verb "have to" indicating obligation/necessity

  ➔ "Have to" expresses a strong sense of obligation or something that is absolutely necessary. It is stronger than "should".

• And sail to the end of the world

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose ("to sail")

  ➔ The infinitive form of the verb "to sail" is used to explain the purpose of the action. It answers the question "Why?"

• But good sailors always return

  ➔ Adverb of frequency "always"

  ➔ "Always" indicates that the action of returning happens in every instance. Expresses a general truth.

• So hold on to hope and Pray there will be

  ➔ Parallel structure (hold on ... and Pray)

  ➔ This sentence uses a parallel structure with two verbs in the imperative mood, "hold on" and "pray". This creates a sense of balance and emphasis.

• Fair wind and following sea

  ➔ Compound noun phrase

  ➔ This is a compact and evocative phrase built from multiple nouns and adjectives. "Fair wind" implies favorable conditions, and a "following sea" means the waves are moving in the same direction as the boat, aiding progress.

• As the tide is turning

  ➔ Present continuous tense (progressive aspect)

  ➔ The present continuous emphasizes that the action of the tide turning is currently happening and is in progress.

• Windward turns are how we learn

  ➔ Noun clause as subject.

  ➔ The clause "Windward turns" are the subject of the sentence. The clause "how we learn" is a noun clause describing what windward turns represents. The structure highlights windward turns as the central concept.