Alfie – English Lyrics

• By: Lily Allen
• Album: Alright, Still

Lyrics & Translation

Thinking about learning English? Lily Allen's 'Alfie' offers a fun and unique way to dive in. The song's clear, conversational lyrics about her brother provide a great opportunity to pick up everyday vocabulary and colloquial expressions. Its catchy melody and humorous, relatable story of sibling dynamics make it an enjoyable and memorable learning experience, showcasing how modern pop music can be a window into British culture and language.

[English]

Oh, deary me

My little brother's in his bedroom

Smoking weed

I tell him he should get up

'Cause it's nearly half-past three

He can't be bothered

'Cause he's high on THC

I ask him very nicely

If he'd like a cup of tea

I can't even see him

'Cause his room is so smoky

Don't understand

How one can watch so much TV

My baby brother Alfie

How I wish that you could see

Oh, I only say it 'cause I care

So please can you stop pulling my hair

Now, now, there's no need to swear

Please don't despair

My dear mon frère

Oh, Alfie get up

It's a brand new day

I just can't sit back

And watch you waste your life away

You need to get a job

Because the bills need to get paid

Get off your lazy arse

Alfie, please use your brain

Surely there's some walls out there

That you can go and spray

I'm feeling guiltier

For leading you astray

Now how the hell do you ever expect

That you'll get laid

When all you do is stay in

Playing your computer games

Oh, I only say it 'cause I care

So please can you stop pulling my hair

Now, now, there's no need to swear

Please don't despair

My dear mon frère

Oh, little brother

Please refrain from doing that

I'm trying to help you out

So can you stop being a twat?

It's time that you and I

Sat down and had a little chat

And look me in the eye

Take off that stupid fitted cap

Oh, I only say it 'cause I care

So please can you stop pulling my hair

Now, now, there's no need to swear

Please don't despair

Please don't despair

Now mon frère

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A2	noun - a male sibling
day /deɪ/ A1	noun - a period of 24 hours
job /dʒɒb/ A2	noun - a paid position of regular employment
weed /wiːd/ B1	noun - a type of plant, often considered a nuisance
smoke /smoʊk/ A2	noun - the visible vapor and gases given off by a burning substance verb - to inhale and exhale the smoke from a cigarette or other substance
high /haɪ/ B1	adjective - intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
cup /kʌp/ A2	noun - a small bowl-shaped container for drinking
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
care /keər/ B1	noun - serious attention or consideration verb - to feel concern or interest
swear /swɛər/ B2	verb - to use offensive language
despair /dɪsˈpɛər/ C1	verb - to lose hope
frère /fʁɛʁ/ A2	noun - brother (French)
refrain /rɪˈfreɪn/ B2	noun - a repeated line or phrase in a song

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, deary me

  ➔ Interjection

  ➔ An interjection like "deary me" expresses surprise or concern.

• I tell him he should get up

  ➔ Modal verb (should)

  ➔ The modal verb "should" indicates advice or recommendation.

• It's a brand new day

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The present simple tense is used to express facts or general truths.

• Please don't despair

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The imperative mood is used to give commands or requests.

• You need to get a job

  ➔ Present simple tense with 'need to'

  ➔ 'Need to' expresses necessity or obligation.

• I'm trying to help you out

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The present continuous tense describes actions that are currently happening.

• Take off that stupid fitted cap

  ➔ Imperative mood with direct object

  ➔ The imperative mood can include a direct object, indicating what action to take.