When You Say Nothing At All – English Lyrics

• By: Alison Krauss

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a heartfelt journey into the nuances of English through Alison Krauss's "When You Say Nothing At All." This enchanting country and bluegrass ballad offers a unique opportunity to grasp how emotions and deep connections are conveyed not just through words, but also through tone, inflection, and the subtle beauty of a singer's voice. Krauss's ethereal vocals make every lyric resonate, demonstrating the poetic power of simplicity and the profound meaning found in unspoken understanding. Listen closely to how her delivery enhances the feeling behind each phrase, allowing you to learn idiomatic expressions of love and communication that transcend literal translation.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
amazing /əˈmeɪ.zɪŋ/ B2	adjective - causing great surprise or wonder
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ in your chest that sends the blood around your body
light /laɪt/ A2	noun - something that makes things visible or affords illumination verb - to make something bright or to illuminate
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a facial expression in which the corners of the mouth curve up verb - to make a smile or to express happiness
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality
catch /kætʃ/ A2	verb - to capture or seize, especially after a chase
define /dɪˈfaɪn/ B2	verb - to state the exact meaning of a word or phrase
talking /ˈtɔː.kɪŋ/ A2	verb - to speak in order to give information or express ideas or feelings
drown /draʊn/ B2	verb - to submerge in water and prevent from breathing
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control

Key Grammar Structures

• Without saying a word

  ➔ Prepositional phrase with 'without' to indicate absence

  ➔ 'Without' functions as a preposition meaning 'not having' or 'lacking'

• You can light up the dark

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' indicating ability or possibility

  ➔ 'Can' expresses the ability to perform an action

• Try as I may

  ➔ Prepositional phrase 'as I may' expressing effort despite difficulty

  ➔ 'Try as I may' means making an effort despite difficulties

• The smile on your face lets me know

  ➔ Present simple tense 'lets' (allows) to express permission or ability

  ➔ 'Lets' is the third person singular of 'let', meaning to allow or enable

• You say it best when you say nothing at all

  ➔ Superlative form 'best' used with 'say' to express the highest degree of expressiveness

  ➔ Superlative 'best' indicates the highest degree of quality