Ophelia – English Lyrics

• By: The Lumineers
• Album: Ophelia

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of The Lumineers' "Ophelia," a captivating folk-rock song that offers a unique window into the English language through its narrative about fame and emotional introspection. With its heartfelt vocals, memorable melodies, and clear, storytelling lyrics, this song provides an excellent opportunity to enhance your vocabulary and grasp subtle emotional expressions. What makes it special is how it uses a classic literary reference (Ophelia from Hamlet) to explore modern themes, making it relatable while encouraging deeper thought, perfect for learning nuanced English.

[English]

Ah, ah, when I was younger

I, I should've known better

And I can't feel no remorse

And you don't feel nothing back

Ah, ah got a new girlfriend, he

Feels like he's on top

And I don't feel no remorse

And you can't see past my blindness

Oh, Ophelia

you've been on my mind, girl

since the flood

Oh, Ophelia

Heaven help the fool who falls in love

I, I got a little paycheck

You got big plans and you gotta move (woo!)

And I don't feel nothing at all

And you can't feel nothing small

Honey, I love you

That's all she wrote

pam

pam

Oh, Ophelia

you've been on my mind, girl

like a drug

Oh, Ophelia

Heaven help the fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia

you've been on my mind, girl

since the flood

Oh, Ophelia

Heaven help the fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia

you've been on my mind, girl

like a drug

Oh, Ophelia

Heaven help the fool who falls in love

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
mind /maɪnd/ B1	noun - the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experience
love /lʌv/ A2	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to have a strong affection for someone
fool /fuːl/ B1	noun - a person who acts unwisely or imprudently
blindness /ˈblaɪndnəs/ B2	noun - the state of being unable to see
plans /plænz/ B1	noun - a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something
drug /drʌɡ/ B2	noun - a substance used for medicinal or recreational purposes
remorse /rɪˈmɔːrs/ C1	noun - deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - a place of eternal happiness
girlfriend /ˈɡɜːrlfrɛnd/ A2	noun - a woman in a romantic relationship
flood /flʌd/ B1	noun - an overflow of water
wrote /roʊt/ A2	verb - past tense of write; to mark letters or words on a surface
move /muːv/ A2	verb - to change position
paycheck /ˈpeɪtʃɛk/ B1	noun - a payment received for work done
small /smɔːl/ A1	adjective - of a size that is less than normal or usual
big /bɪɡ/ A1	adjective - of considerable size, extent, or intensity

Key Grammar Structures

• Ah, ah, when I was younger

  ➔ Past tense with 'was'

  ➔ The verb 'was' is used to describe an action in the past, indicating the speaker's younger age.

• I, I should've known better

  ➔ Modal verb 'should have'

  ➔ 'Should have' expresses regret or advice about a past situation that didn’t happen as expected.

• And I can't feel no remorse

  ➔ Double negative

  ➔ The double negative 'can't feel no' emphasizes the absence of remorse, though it’s non-standard in formal English.

• Oh, Ophelia, you've been on my mind, girl

  ➔ Present perfect 'have been'

  ➔ 'Have been' indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• Heaven help the fool who falls in love

  ➔ Subjunctive mood

  ➔ The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, emotions, or hypothetical situations, as in 'Heaven help...'.

• I got a little paycheck

  ➔ Past simple tense

  ➔ The past simple tense 'got' describes a completed action in the past.

• And you can't feel nothing small

  ➔ Double negative

  ➔ Another example of double negative, 'can't feel nothing' emphasizes the inability to feel something small.

• Honey, I love you, that's all she wrote

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The present simple tense 'love' expresses a current state or habitual action.