You Raise Me Up – English Lyrics

• By: Josh Groban
• Album: Closer (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and emotional journey with "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. This powerful ballad, with its clear and heartfelt English lyrics, offers an excellent opportunity to explore vocabulary related to emotions, support, and overcoming challenges. Its universal message and soaring melody make it a memorable and accessible song for language learners, revealing how English can convey deep personal sentiment and inspiration.

[English]

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence

Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be

...

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be.

...

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up to more than I can be.

...

You raise me up to more than I can be.

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
down /daʊn/ A1	adjective - sad or depressed
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
weary /ˈwɪəri/ B2	adjective - feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion.
troubles /ˈtrʌblz/ A2	noun - problems or difficulties.
heart /hɑːrt/ A1	noun - the organ in your chest that pumps blood around your body
burdened /ˈbɜːrdənd/ B2	adjective - weighed down or oppressed. verb - to put a heavy load on something or someone.
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to remain in a place or situation until something expected happens.
silence /ˈsaɪləns/ B1	noun - the state of not speaking.
raise /reɪz/ A2	verb - to lift or move to a higher position.
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet.
mountains /ˈmaʊntɪnz/ A1	noun - a large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
stormy /ˈstɔːrmi/ B2	adjective - affected by storms; tempestuous.
seas /siːz/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses.
strong /strɔːŋ/ A1	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
shoulders /ˈʃoʊldərz/ A2	noun - the part of the human body between the neck and the upper arm.

Key Grammar Structures

• When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "when" introducing a dependent clause, adjectival phrase "so weary".

  ➔ The word "when" introduces a time clause describing *when* the speaker feels down. "So weary" is an adjective phrase describing the speaker's soul.

• When troubles come and my heart burdened be

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood ("be") for a formal or poetic effect. Coordinate conjunction "and" connecting two clauses.

  ➔ The subjunctive "be" in "my heart burdened be" is less common in modern English and sounds more formal. It adds a sense of gravity to the statement. "And" links the coming of troubles with the heart being burdened.

• Until You come and sit awhile with me.

  ➔ Temporal clause introduced by "until". Phrasal verb "sit awhile".

  ➔ "Until" indicates the duration of the speaker's waiting. "Sit awhile" means to sit for a short period of time.

• You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

  ➔ Conjunction "so" indicating purpose or result. Modal verb "can" expressing ability.

  ➔ "So" connects the raising up with the ability to stand on mountains. "Can" shows that the raising up enables the speaker to stand on mountains.

• You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose "to walk".

  ➔ "To walk" explains the purpose of the raising up - it's *in order to* walk on stormy seas.

• I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

  ➔ Conditional clause with "when" indicating a time and condition. Adjective "strong" describing the subject.

  ➔ The speaker's strength is conditional. They are only strong *when* they are on the shoulders of the person they are addressing.

• You raise me up to more than I can be

  ➔ Comparative structure "more than" indicating exceeding a limit. Modal verb "can" expressing potential.

  ➔ The raising up enables the speaker to be more than they are currently capable of. "Can" implies the potential that is unlocked by the other person's support.