True North – English Lyrics

• By: a-ha
• Album: True North

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
crow /kroʊ/ A2	noun - a large black bird with a harsh cry
sail /seɪl/ A2	verb - to travel on water in a ship or boat noun - a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features.
sailor /ˈseɪlər/ A2	noun - a person who works on a ship or boat
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - want something to happen or be the case
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.
sea /siː/ A1	noun - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses
tide /taɪd/ B1	noun - the alternate rising and falling of the sea, usually twice in each lunar day at a particular place, due to the attraction of the moon and sun.
shore /ʃɔːr/ A2	noun - the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water
beacon /ˈbiːkən/ B2	noun - a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.
port /pɔːrt/ A2	noun - a town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload, especially one where customs officials are stationed.
true /truː/ A1	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
dark /dɑːrk/ A1	adjective - with little or no light
stars /stɑːrz/ A1	noun - a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.
fair /feər/ A2	adjective - treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination.

Key Grammar Structures

• As the crow flies

  ➔ Simile (figurative language)

  ➔ This line uses a simile. It is comparing the straightness of a bird's flight to a direct path. The implied meaning is directly, efficiently and without deviation

• Just find your way to me

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ This is a direct command or request. The subject "you" is implied.

• You just have to believe

  ➔ Modal verb "have to" indicating obligation/necessity

  ➔ "Have to" expresses a strong sense of obligation or something that is absolutely necessary. It is stronger than "should".

• And sail to the end of the world

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose ("to sail")

  ➔ The infinitive form of the verb "to sail" is used to explain the purpose of the action. It answers the question "Why?"

• But good sailors always return

  ➔ Adverb of frequency "always"

  ➔ "Always" indicates that the action of returning happens in every instance. Expresses a general truth.

• So hold on to hope and Pray there will be

  ➔ Parallel structure (hold on ... and Pray)

  ➔ This sentence uses a parallel structure with two verbs in the imperative mood, "hold on" and "pray". This creates a sense of balance and emphasis.

• Fair wind and following sea

  ➔ Compound noun phrase

  ➔ This is a compact and evocative phrase built from multiple nouns and adjectives. "Fair wind" implies favorable conditions, and a "following sea" means the waves are moving in the same direction as the boat, aiding progress.

• As the tide is turning

  ➔ Present continuous tense (progressive aspect)

  ➔ The present continuous emphasizes that the action of the tide turning is currently happening and is in progress.

• Windward turns are how we learn

  ➔ Noun clause as subject.

  ➔ The clause "Windward turns" are the subject of the sentence. The clause "how we learn" is a noun clause describing what windward turns represents. The structure highlights windward turns as the central concept.