When We Were Young – English Lyrics

• By: Passenger
• Album: Songs For The Drunk And Broken Hearted

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a nostalgic journey with Passenger's 'When We Were Young,' a heartfelt folk song that explores themes of aging and memories. This song offers listeners an opportunity to reflect on their own past while learning English through its relatable lyrics and simple structure . Discover how Passenger's personal experience in Ibiza shaped this universally resonant track .

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
live /lɪv/ A2	verb - to be alive or exist
flying /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - to move through the air with wings
days /deɪz/ A2	noun - period of 24 hours
weeks /wiːks/ A2	noun - period of seven days
years /jɪərz/ A2	noun - period of twelve months
young /jʌŋ/ A2	adjective - having lived for a short time; not old
remember /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ B1	verb - to recall from memory
send /sɛnd/ B1	verb - to cause something to go to a destination
build /bɪld/ B2	verb - to construct or assemble parts into a structure
reach /riːtʃ/ B2	verb - to arrive at a place or goal
vanish /ˈvæn.ɪʃ/ C1	verb - to disappear suddenly and completely
remember /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ B1	verb - to recall from memory
want /wɒnt/ A2	verb - to wish for something
build /bɪld/ B2	verb - to construct or form by putting parts together

Key Grammar Structures

• Used to never say never

  ➔ Used to + base verb

  ➔ The phrase "used to" indicates a past habitual action or state that no longer happens.

• The weeks are going slippin and sliding

  ➔ Present continuous tense for ongoing actions

  ➔ The phrase "are going" is in the present continuous tense, emphasizing that the action is ongoing at the moment.

• Years leave quicker every time they come

  ➔ Simple present tense for general truths

  ➔ The verb "leave" in the present tense states a habitual or factual truth that "years" pass quickly every time.

• Remember when we were young

  ➔ Past simple tense for recalling past events

  ➔ The verb "remember" in the past tense is used here to recall or think about past times.

• Say we'll do it tomorrow

  ➔ Future simple tense with "will"

  ➔ The phrase "will do" expresses a decision or plan for the future.

• And travel round South-America

  ➔ Infinitive verb form for purpose/intent

  ➔ The verb "to travel" is in its base form after "and" to indicate purpose or future plans.