Under the Oak – English Lyrics

• By: Candlemass
• Album: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and “Under the Oak” by the Swedish band Candlemass offers a unique opportunity for English learners. The song's slow tempo and clear, operatic vocals make it easier to follow the lyrics, which tell a dark and poetic story of loss and seeking solace. By exploring the rich vocabulary and melancholic themes within this epic doom metal classic, you can not only improve your English comprehension but also delve into a significant piece of heavy metal history.

[English]

Let me see your hands in the air

...

Deep was my anguish for those words

They froze my blood and changed my soul

The master has spoken, the truth, not any lies

The Devil gives and evil takes

The thing in life that man forsakes

A throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice

Yeah

...

Still the wind was blowing soft

And gentle here under the oak

Which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

I'm not strong, weak is my mind

A new beginning, where to find?

I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime, come on

Oh-oh, ah-ah

It was a time when love was mine

Oh-oh, ah-ah

Now it's time to sacrifice, it's time

...

My heart, bleeding for my race

The traces of mankind sweeped out

By the hand of our Lord, now they're dead

...

I cried for the ones I lost

Midnight in paradise, grief

Away goes my hope

...

I cried for the ones I lost

...

Hear my prayers

Climbing on the clouds above

...

Silent cry

Reach the inner halls of truth

Give me a sign

We need you to sing, Stockholm

Come on

Oh-oh, ah-ah

A crimson sky, bless my eyes (sing it)

Oh-oh, ah-ah

Up goes the sun, my time has come

It has come

Oh-oh

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
anguish /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ C1	noun - severe mental or physical pain or suffering
sacrifice /ˈsækrɪfaɪs/ B2	noun - the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else verb - to give up something important for the sake of others
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
grief /ɡriːf/ B2	noun - deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death
master /ˈmæstər/ B1	noun - a person with control or authority over others
blood /blʌd/ A1	noun - the red liquid that circulates in the bodies of humans and animals
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences
trial /traɪəl/ B2	noun - a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something
sign /saɪn/ A2	noun - an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
crimson /ˈkrɪmzən/ C1	adjective - a rich deep red color inclining to purple
shelter /ˈʃɛltər/ B1	noun - a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger
blessing /ˈblɛsɪŋ/ B2	noun - God's favor and protection

Key Grammar Structures

• Let me see your hands in the air

  ➔ Modal verb 'let' + base verb 'see'

  ➔ 'Let' is a modal verb used here to give permission or instruction to do something.

• The master has spoken

  ➔ Present perfect tense ('has' + past participle)

  ➔ The phrase 'has spoken' indicates an action completed in the recent past with relevance to the present.

• A throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice

  ➔ Noun phrase with coordinate conjunction 'or' indicating alternatives

  ➔ The phrase presents multiple options using 'or,' indicating choices or alternatives.

• I'm not strong, weak is my mind

  ➔ Negative form with 'not' + adjective / simple present tense

  ➔ The phrase uses negation ('not') with 'strong' to indicate weakness, and a simple present tense clause to describe the state of the mind.

• A crimson sky, bless my eyes

  ➔ Noun phrase with imperative verb 'bless'

  ➔ The phrase uses the imperative form 'bless' to express a wish or prayer directed at the 'crimson sky'.

• Come on

  ➔ Imperative phrase

  ➔ 'Come on' is an imperative phrase used to encourage or prompt someone to take action.

• Reach the inner halls of truth

  ➔ Imperative verb 'reach' + noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase uses the imperative 'reach' to command or encourage to attain the 'inner halls of truth'.