Sailing – English Lyrics

• By: Rod Stewart
• Album: Atlantic Crossing

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a lyrical journey with Rod Stewart's timeless anthem, "Sailing." This song offers a beautiful opportunity to expand your English vocabulary through its simple yet evocative words, painting vivid pictures of longing and hope. Discover the emotional depth of its message about life's spiritual voyage and the universal feeling of searching for home and freedom, all while enjoying one of rock's most enduring ballads.

[English]

I am sailing, I am sailing

...

Home again 'cross the sea

I am sailing, stormy waters

To be near you, to be free

I am flying, I am flying

Like a bird 'cross the sky

I am flying, passing high clouds

To be near you, to be free

Can you hear me, can you hear me

Through the dark night, far away?

I am dying, forever crying

To be with you, who can say

Can you hear me, can you hear me

Through the dark night far away?

I am dying, forever crying

To be with you, who can say

We are sailing, we are sailing

...

Home again 'cross the sea

We are sailing stormy waters

To be near you, to be free

Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free

Oh my Lord, to be near you, to be free

Oh my Lord, to be near you, to be free

Oh Lord

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sailing /ˈseɪlɪŋ/ B1	noun - the activity of traveling on water in a ship or boat verb - to travel on water in a ship or boat
flying /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ A2	verb - to move through the air using wings or an aircraft adjective - moving through the air; airborne
stormy /ˈstɔːrmi/ B2	adjective - characterized by strong winds and rain; turbulent
waters /ˈwɔːtərz/ B1	noun - bodies of water, especially the sea or ocean
near /nɪər/ A1	adjective - close in distance or time
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not restrained; able to act or move as one wishes
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - to perceive sound with the ears
dark /dɑːk/ A1	adjective - having little or no light
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
dying /ˈdaɪɪŋ/ B2	verb - to cease living; to be in the process of death
crying /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ A2	verb - to shed tears; to weep
Lord /lɔːrd/ A2	noun - a title for a deity or a person having authority
bird /bɜːrd/ A1	noun - a warm‑blooded animal with feathers and wings
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the expanse of atmosphere above the earth
clouds /klaʊdz/ A2	noun - visible masses of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere
sea /siː/ A1	noun - a large body of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface
passing /ˈpæsɪŋ/ B2	verb - to move past or through something
high /haɪ/ A1	adjective - at a great vertical distance; tall

Key Grammar Structures

• I am sailing, I am sailing

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase "I am sailing" uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now or in the near future. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

• To be near you, to be free

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The phrase "to be near you" uses the infinitive form to express purpose. It explains the reason for the action of sailing.

• Can you hear me, can you hear me

  ➔ Tag Questions

  ➔ The phrase "Can you hear me, can you hear me" uses tag questions to seek confirmation or response. It adds emphasis and engagement.

• I am dying, forever crying

  ➔ Present Continuous with Future Meaning

  ➔ The phrase "I am dying, forever crying" uses the present continuous tense to express a future or ongoing emotional state. It conveys intensity and permanence.

• We are sailing, we are sailing

  ➔ Plural Subject with Present Continuous

  ➔ The phrase "We are sailing" uses the present continuous tense with a plural subject to include a group in the action. It emphasizes collective effort.

• Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free

  ➔ Vocative Case

  ➔ The phrase "Oh Lord" uses the vocative case to address a deity directly. It adds emotional intensity and reverence.