You've Got A Friend – English Lyrics

• By: James Taylor
• Album: Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartwarming lyrics of James Taylor's classic "You've Got a Friend" to enhance your English language skills. This song offers a beautiful and clear message of enduring companionship and selfless support, using straightforward vocabulary and comforting phrases that are excellent for understanding expressions of care and commitment. Its universal theme of friendship, coupled with a gentle melody, makes it an accessible and emotionally resonant piece for any English learner looking to grasp conversational and heartfelt language.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to cry out or shout noun - a cry or shout
down /daʊn/ A1	adjective - sad or depressed
troubled /ˈtrʌb(ə)ld/ B1	adjective - worried or anxious
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs that detect light
brighten /ˈbraɪt(ə)n/ B2	verb - to make or become brighter
darkest /ˈdɑːrkɪst/ B1	adjective - with little or no light
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to
running /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ A2	verb - moving at a speed faster than a walk
see /siː/ A1	verb - perceive with the eyes; discern visually
winter /ˈwɪntər/ A1	noun - the coldest season of the year
spring /sprɪŋ/ A1	noun - the season after winter and before summer
summer /ˈsʌmər/ A1	noun - the warmest season of the year
fall /fɔːl/ A1	noun - the season after summer and before winter
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth
dark /dɑːrk/ A2	adjective - with little or no light
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible mass of condensed watery vapour floating in the atmosphere
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

Key Grammar Structures

• When you're down and troubled

  ➔ Subordinate Clause with 'When'

  ➔ The word "when" introduces a time clause. It indicates the condition or the time at which the main clause's action will occur. 'Down and troubled' are adjectives describing the subject’s emotional state.

• And you need a helping hand

  ➔ Use of the verb "need" with a noun phrase

  ➔ "Need" is a transitive verb that requires an object. "A helping hand" serves as the object of the verb, representing assistance or support.

• Close your eyes and think of me

  ➔ Imperative mood; Phrasal verb 'think of'

  ➔ "Close" and "think" are used in the imperative mood, giving a direct command. "Think of" is a phrasal verb meaning 'to consider or remember'.

• And soon I will be there

  ➔ Future Simple Tense

  ➔ "Will be" indicates an action that will happen in the future. It expresses a promise or a prediction.

• You just call out my name

  ➔ Imperative with "just" for emphasis

  ➔ The sentence is in the imperative mood, instructing the listener to call out the speaker’s name. The word "just" is used to soften the command and add emphasis.

• Wherever I am

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Place with 'Wherever'

  ➔ "Wherever" introduces an adverbial clause of place, indicating that the location is not important; the action will happen regardless of the location. It means 'in any place that'.

• I'll come running

  ➔ Future Simple with "will"; Present participle as complement

  ➔ "I'll come" is the future simple tense, indicating a future action. "Running" is a present participle used as a complement to describe how the speaker will come. It conveys a sense of speed and urgency.

• All you got to do is call

  ➔ Informal Contraction 'got to'; Infinitive of purpose

  ➔ "Got to" is an informal contraction of "have got to", meaning "have to" or "must". The infinitive "to call" expresses the action that needs to be performed. The phrase implies that calling is the *only* thing needed.