Winter – English Lyrics

• By: Tori Amos
• Album: Little Earthquakes

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the poignant world of Tori Amos's "Winter," a touching ballad that delves into the tender bond between a father and daughter. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt lyrics, this song offers a beautiful reflection on life's transitions, encouraging listeners to discover deeper meanings within its enchanting melody.

[English]

Snow can wait, I've forgotten my mittens

Wipe my nose, get my new boots on

I get a little warm in my heart

when I think of winter

I put my hand in my father's glove

I run off where the drifts get deeper

Sleeping Beauty trips me with a frown

I hear a voice, "You must learn to stand up

for yourself 'cause I can't always be around"

He says, "When you gonna make up your mind?

When you gonna love you as much as I do?

When you gonna make up your mind?

'Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses are still in bed

I tell you that I'll always want you near"

You say that things change, my dear

Boys get discovered as winter melts

Flowers come competing for the sun

Years go by and I'm here still waiting

Withering where some snowman was

Mirror, Mirror, where's the crystal palace?

But I only can see myself

Skating around the truth who I am

But I know, Dad, the ice is getting thin

He says, "When you gonna make up your mind?

When you gonna love you as much as I do?

When you gonna make up your mind?

'Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses are still in bed

I tell you that I'll always want you near"

You say that things change, my dear

When you gonna make up your mind?

When you gonna love you as much as I do?

When you gonna make up your mind?

'Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses have gone ahead

I tell you that I'll always want you near"

You say that things change, my dear

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
snow /snəʊ/ A1	noun - frozen precipitation that falls from the sky
winter /ˈwɪntə/ A1	noun - the cold season of the year
heart /hɑːt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood; also the centre of emotions
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection or strong feeling of attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone or something
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ B1	verb - to make something different; to become different noun - the act or result of becoming different
mind /maɪnd/ B2	noun - the part of a person that thinks, feels and remembers
melt /mɛlt/ B2	verb - to become liquid by heating or by becoming warmer
ice /aɪs/ A1	noun - frozen water; a solid form of water at low temperature
crystal /ˈkrɪs.təl/ B2	noun - a clear, transparent solid material, often in a regular geometric shape adjective - clear and sparkling, like a crystal
mirror /ˈmɪr.ər/ B1	noun - a reflective surface that shows an image of whatever is in front of it
horse /hɔːs/ A1	noun - a large, four‑legged animal used for riding or work
warm /wɔːm/ A1	adjective - having a moderate degree of heat; not cold
glove /ɡlʌv/ A2	noun - a covering for the hand, usually with separate sections for the thumb and fingers
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - the sound made by a person when speaking or singing
frown /fraʊn/ B2	verb - to furrow one's brows in displeasure or concentration noun - an expression formed by furrowing the brows
sleeping /ˈsliːp.ɪŋ/ B1	adjective - in a state of sleep; not awake
drift /drɪft/ C1	noun - a mass of snow, sand, or other material moved by wind or water
white /waɪt/ A1	adjective - the colour of fresh snow; having no hue

Key Grammar Structures

• Snow can wait, I've forgotten my mittens

  ➔ Present Perfect

  ➔ The phrase "I've forgotten" uses the Present Perfect to indicate an action that happened in the past but is relevant to the present.

• I get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter

  ➔ Present Simple with Future Meaning

  ➔ The phrase "I get a little warm" uses the Present Simple to describe a habitual or emotional reaction to thinking about winter.

• Sleeping Beauty trips me with a frown

  ➔ Present Simple with Personification

  ➔ The phrase "trips me with a frown" uses personification, giving Sleeping Beauty the ability to act in a human-like way.

• He says, 'When you gonna make up your mind?'

  ➔ Indirect Speech with Future Meaning

  ➔ The phrase "When you gonna make up your mind?" is reported speech, maintaining the future meaning of the original question.

• All the white horses are still in bed

  ➔ Present Simple with Metaphor

  ➔ The phrase "All the white horses are still in bed" uses a metaphor to symbolize something pure or untouched remaining inactive.

• Mirror, Mirror, where's the crystal palace?

  ➔ Direct Address and Question

  ➔ The phrase "Mirror, Mirror" is a direct address, and "where's the crystal palace?" is a question using a contraction.

• But I only can see myself

  ➔ Emphasis with Inversion

  ➔ The phrase "But I only can see myself" uses inversion to emphasize the limitation of the speaker's perspective.

• The ice is getting thin

  ➔ Present Continuous for Changing Situation

  ➔ The phrase "The ice is getting thin" uses the Present Continuous to describe a situation that is gradually changing.