Wind Beneath My Wings – English Lyrics

• By: Bette Midler
• Album: Beaches (Soundtrack)

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of gratitude and friendship with Bette Midler's iconic "Wind Beneath My Wings." Learn how this ballad became a symbol of appreciation, offering a vocabulary to express heartfelt thanks to those who uplift and support us. Discover the emotional power of music and enrich your understanding of English through its poignant lyrics.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - of or at a low or relatively low temperature
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ B1	noun - a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
sunlight /ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/ A2	noun - the light of the sun
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin
shine /ʃaɪn/ B1	verb - give out a bright light
glory /ˈɡlɔːri/ B2	noun - high renown or honor won by notable achievements
strength /strɛŋθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being strong
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - an expression on one's face that reflects happiness
hide /haɪd/ A2	verb - put or keep out of sight
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury
hero /ˈhɪroʊ/ A2	noun - a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to move through the air using wings
eagle /ˈiːɡl/ B1	noun - a large bird of prey with a massive head and beak, known for its strength and powerful flight
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
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - a hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being true
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - of great vertical extent
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth.

Key Grammar Structures

• It **must have been** cold there in my shadow

  ➔ Modal verb of deduction in the past ('must have + past participle')

  ➔ Expresses a strong belief or logical deduction about something that happened in the past. Here, the speaker is concluding that the person they're addressing likely experienced hardship ('cold') based on the circumstances ('in my shadow').

• You **were content to let me shine**, that's your way

  ➔ Verb pattern: 'be + adjective + to + infinitive' (expressing willingness or contentment)

  ➔ This shows the person was happy or willing to allow the speaker to be the center of attention. 'Content' means satisfied.

• You always walked **a step behind**

  ➔ Idiomatic expression: 'a step behind' (meaning supportive but not taking the lead)

  ➔ The phrase doesn't literally mean walking behind, but metaphorically supporting someone without seeking recognition.

• While you **were** the one **with** all the strength

  ➔ Use of 'be' + 'the one' + 'with' to emphasize a specific quality or characteristic.

  ➔ This structure highlights that the person *specifically* possessed the quality of strength. It's more emphatic than simply saying 'You were strong'.

• Did you **ever** know that you're my hero?

  ➔ Use of 'ever' for emphasis in a question.

  ➔ 'Ever' stresses that the speaker is wondering if the person *at any time* realized their heroic status. It strengthens the emotional impact of the question.

• And everything I **would like to be**

  ➔ Conditional tense ('would + infinitive') expressing a wish or hypothetical situation.

  ➔ The speaker expresses a desire to embody the qualities of the person they are addressing. It's not something that *is*, but something they *wish to be*.

• I **can** fly higher than an eagle

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' expressing ability.

  ➔ Metaphorically, the speaker feels empowered and capable of achieving great things, thanks to the support of the other person. The ability to 'fly' represents success and achievement.

• For you **are** the wind beneath my wings

  ➔ Present tense of 'be' for a statement of fact (although metaphorical).

  ➔ This is a powerful metaphor. The person *is* the force that enables the speaker to achieve their potential. It's a constant, ongoing role, hence the present tense.