willow

• By: Taylor Swift
• Album: evermore

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
willow /ˈwɪloʊ/ B1	noun - a tree or shrub of temperate climates that typically has narrow leaves and drooping branches.
ship /ʃɪp/ A1	noun - a large boat for transporting people or goods by sea.
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours.
knife /naɪf/ A2	noun - an instrument composed of a blade fixed into a handle, used for cutting.
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.
lost /lɔːst/ A2	adjective - unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts. verb - past tense of lose
wine /waɪn/ A2	noun - an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes.
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
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.
head /hed/ A1	noun - the part of the body above the neck where the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brain are.
pillow /ˈpɪloʊ/ A2	noun - a rectangular cloth bag stuffed with feathers, foam rubber, or other soft materials, used to support the head when lying or sleeping.
trophy /ˈtroʊfi/ B1	noun - a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success.
champion /ˈtʃæmpiən/ B1	noun - a person who has defeated all rivals in a competition or sporting event.
ring /rɪŋ/ A1	noun - a small circular band, typically made of precious metal and often set with one or more gemstones, worn on a finger.
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.
dark /dɑːrk/ A2	adjective - with little or no light.
art /ɑːrt/ A2	noun - the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Grammar:

• I'M LIKE THE WATER WHEN YOUR SHIP ROLLED IN THAT NIGHT

  ➔ Simile (using 'like')

  ➔ This line uses a simile to compare the speaker to water, emphasizing the arrival of the other person ('your ship') being a significant event. The word "like" creates a direct comparison.

• ROUGH ON THE SURFACE BUT YOU CUT THROUGH LIKE A KNIFE

  ➔ Contrast (rough vs. cut through), Simile (using 'like')

  ➔ This line uses both contrast and simile. "Rough on the surface" contrasts with "cut through", highlighting the speaker's initial exterior versus how the other person's actions affected them deeply. "Like a knife" is the simile, emphasizing the sharp and impactful nature of those actions.

• IF IT WAS AN OPEN/SHUT CASE, I NEVER WOULD'VE KNOWN FROM THAT LOOK ON YOUR FACE

  ➔ Third Conditional (mixed)

  ➔ This line uses a mixed third conditional. The 'if' clause refers to a past situation ("If it was an open/shut case"), and the main clause refers to a past result that is now affecting the present understanding ("I never would've known"). It expresses regret or a hypothetical past different from reality.

• LOST IN YOUR CURRENT LIKE A PRICELESS WINE

  ➔ Simile (using 'like')

  ➔ Uses the simile 'like a priceless wine' to describe the feeling of being lost in the other person's presence. The comparison emphasizes the value and intoxicating nature of that experience.

• THE MORE THAT YOU SAY, THE LESS I KNOW

  ➔ The more...the less construction (correlated comparative)

  ➔ This is a construction that shows how two things change in relation to each other. As the amount of speaking increases ("the more you say"), the amount of understanding decreases ("the less I know").

• WHEREVER YOU STRAY I FOLLOW

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Place (using 'wherever')

  ➔ This uses 'wherever' to indicate that the speaker will follow the other person no matter where they go. 'Wherever you stray' is an adverbial clause modifying the verb 'follow'.

• I'M BEGGING FOR YOU TO TAKE MY HAND

  ➔ Gerund/Infinitive after a verb ('begging for you to take')

  ➔ "Begging" is used with the preposition "for" and followed by the infinitive phrase "you to take my hand". It expresses a strong desire or plea.

• LIFE WAS A WILLOW AND IT BENT RIGHT TO YOUR WIND

  ➔ Metaphor (Life is a willow)

  ➔ This line uses a metaphor, comparing life to a willow tree, which bends easily in the wind, symbolizing how easily the speaker adapted to the influence of the other person ('your wind').