Writing on the Wall – English Lyrics

• By: Will Stetson

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the introspective world of 'Writing on the Wall' by Will Stetson, a poignant exploration of an artist's dedication and vulnerability. Through vivid metaphors and evocative lyrics, this song offers a unique opportunity to learn about themes of fate, perseverance, and the emotional investment in creative work, making it a compelling piece for language and cultural understanding.

[English]

Palaces of silver and gold

Cannot be designed overnight

It's like the saying I've often been told

"No matter the cost, do things right"

You have to be careful

You have to be diligent

Planning and measuring every detail

Creating is drawing, erasing and drawing again

And I've never been in it for fame or attention

I only work hard so the structures won't fail

But seeing it finished is worth every mora I spend

Withing every building made with pride

The architect lives on inside

Shining paint, a marble heart

That's what makes a work of art

We build and we play

Sculpting dreams out of clay

With the hope that our towers don't fall

That we won't have to see

The writing on the wall

The more you work, the higher the stakes

And the bigger the sorrows to drown

'Cause one mistake is all that it takes

For the walls to come crumbling down

You have to ignore them, the echoing voices

That cackle and curse as you toil away

Cover your ears and focus on boxes and lines

And the shadowy figures, they're nothing but shadows

Like ink on a page, they have nothing to say

But maybe, just maybe

They're trying to give me a sign (a sign...)

That in every building made with pride

The architect remains inside

Peeling paint, a heavy heart

That's what makes a work of art

We scream and we pray

Sculpting dreams out of clay

As we try not to look at the scrawl

The message of doom

The writing on the wall

...

Every day, we play this game of chance

Whirling through a desperate dance

Sketching visions in our heads

Just to see them ripped to shreds

This road that we share

Doesn't lead anywhere

But there's nothing an artist can do

When you swing your brush

You have to follow through

Withing every building made with pride

The architect is trapped inside

Bleeding paint, a shattered heart

That's what makes a work of art

I'll fight for control

But the "right way" takes a toll

And still, at the end of it all

I can't escape my fate

The writing's on the wall

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
design /dɪˈzaɪn/ B1	verb - to plan and create the appearance or structure of something noun - a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of something before it is made
diligent /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ B2	adjective - hardworking and careful
create /kriˈeɪt/ A2	verb - to make or produce something new
structure /ˈstrʌktʃər/ B1	noun - the arrangement of parts that make up something
architect /ˈɑːrkɪtekt/ B2	noun - a person who designs buildings
sculpt /skʌlpt/ B2	verb - to create a three-dimensional work of art by carving or molding material
stake /steɪk/ B1	noun - a risk or interest in an undertaking or enterprise
crumble /ˈkrʌmbl/ B1	verb - to break into small pieces, especially due to age or pressure
echo /ˈɛkoʊ/ A2	verb - to repeat or reflect a sound noun - a sound that is repeated by reflection
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ A1	noun - a dark area where light is blocked by an object
shatter /ˈʃætər/ B1	verb - to break something into many pieces, typically with a loud noise
desperate /ˈdɛspərɪt/ B1	adjective - feeling or showing despair
sketch /skɛtʃ/ B1	verb - to make a simple drawing of something noun - a simple drawing that is not detailed
rip /rɪp/ A2	verb - to tear something roughly or violently
fate /feɪt/ A2	noun - the development of events outside a person's control, considered as predetermined by a supernatural power

Key Grammar Structures

• It’s like the saying I've often been told

  ➔ Present Perfect Passive

  ➔ The phrase "have been told" is in the present perfect passive, showing an action that was completed in the past but is still relevant now.

• You have to be careful

  ➔ Modal verb ‘have to’ + infinitive (obligation)

  ➔ The construction "have to" expresses obligation; it is followed by the base form of the verb, here "be".

• Planning and measuring every detail

  ➔ Gerund phrase functioning as a noun

  ➔ "Planning" and "measuring" are gerunds; together they act as the subject of the clause, functioning like a noun.

• Creating is drawing, erasing and drawing again

  ➔ Present Simple tense, gerund as complement

  ➔ The verb "is" (present simple) links the subject "Creating" to the complement made up of gerunds "drawing, erasing and drawing again".

• I only work hard so the structures won't fail

  ➔ Future Simple negative (won’t) for future prediction

  ➔ "won't" is the contraction of "will not"; it expresses a negative prediction about the future.

• But seeing it finished is worth every mora I spend

  ➔ Worth + noun phrase (object complement)

  ➔ The adjective "worth" is followed by the noun phrase "every mora I spend", which acts as a complement describing the value of "seeing it finished".

• The more you work, the higher the stakes

  ➔ Comparative correlative clause (the more..., the higher...)

  ➔ The structure "the more …, the higher …" links two comparative ideas; the increase in one (work) leads to an increase in the other (stakes).

• One mistake is all that it takes

  ➔ Relative clause introduced by 'that'

  ➔ "that it takes" is a relative clause modifying "all"; it explains what "all" refers to.

• I can't escape my fate

  ➔ Modal verb ‘can’t’ + infinitive (negation of ability/possibility)

  ➔ "can't" is the negative form of the modal "can"; it expresses that the speaker is unable to escape.