Stand By Me – English Lyrics

• By: Def Leppard

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Def Leppard's impactful 2025 cover of "Stand By Me"! This rendition of Ben E. King's timeless classic offers a powerful message of solidarity and resilience, making it a meaningful song for language learners to explore. Its clear, emotionally resonant lyrics and Def Leppard's rock interpretation provide an excellent opportunity to understand expressions of support and overcoming adversity, while appreciating a classic song repurposed for a noble cause.

[English]

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No, I won't be afraid

No, I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

So darling, darling

Stand by me

Oh-oh, stand by me

Oh, stand now

Stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

And the mountains should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry

No, I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

So darling, darling

Stand by me

Oh-oh, stand by me

Oh, stand now

Stand by me, stand by me

...

So darling, darling

Stand by me

Oh-oh, stand by me

Oh, stand now

Stand by me, stand by me

Whenever you're in trouble

Won't you stand by me?

Oh-oh, stand by me

Oh, stand now

Stand by me, stand by me

Whenever you're in trouble

Won't you stand by me?

Oh-oh, stand by me

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
night /naɪt/ A2	noun - the period of darkness in each twenty-four hours; the time from sunset to sunrise
land /lænd/ A2	noun - the solid surface of the Earth
moon /muːn/ A2	noun - the natural satellite of the Earth that orbits the planet
light /laɪt/ A2	noun - the brightness that allows us to see things verb - to make bright with light
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ B1	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety
stand /stænd/ A2	verb - to be in an upright position on the feet
darling /ˈdɑː.lɪŋ/ A2	noun - a term of endearment for a loved one
fall /fɔːl/ A2	verb - to move downward accidentally or unintentionally
crumble /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ B2	verb - to break into small fragments or pieces
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to produce tears as an expression of emotion
tears /tɪərz/ B1	noun - drops of liquid from the eyes when crying
trouble /ˈtrʌb.əl/ B2	noun - difficulty or problems

Key Grammar Structures

• When the night has come

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ Uses "has come" to indicate that the night's arrival is a completed action that has relevance to the present moment. Signifies a state that exists *now* because the night *has* come.

• And the land is dark

  ➔ Simple Present Tense (State of Being)

  ➔ Describes a general, unchanging state: "the land is dark". Uses the verb "is" to link the subject (the land) with its state (dark).

• Just as long as you stand, stand by me

  ➔ Conditional Clause with 'as long as'

  ➔ "As long as" introduces a condition. The main clause (I won't be afraid) is dependent on the condition (you stand by me) being met. Expresses a strong sense of reliance.

• If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

  ➔ Hypothetical Conditional (Subjunctive Mood)

  ➔ Uses "should tumble and fall" to express a highly unlikely or impossible situation. The use of "should" indicates a subjunctive mood, suggesting a hypothetical event.

• I won't cry, I won't cry

  ➔ Future Simple (Negative)

  ➔ Expresses a future decision or intention *not* to cry. "Won't" is the contracted form of "will not".

• Whenever you're in trouble

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Time (with 'Whenever')

  ➔ "Whenever" means "at any time" or "every time". Introduces a clause that specifies the time the action in the main clause will occur.

• Won't you stand by me?

  ➔ Future Simple (Negative Interrogative)

  ➔ Expresses a request or plea for future support, phrased as a negative question. Implies a desire or hope for the action to occur.