folklore

Taylor Swift
 “A tale that becomes folklore is one that is passed down and
whispered around. Sometimes even sung about. The lines between
fantasy and reality blur and the boundaries between truth and fiction
become almost indiscernible.
Speculation, over time, becomes fact. Myths, ghost stories, and
fables. Fairy tales and parables. Gossip and legend. Someone’s
secrets written in the sky for all to behold. In isolation, my
imagination has run wild and this album is the result, a collection of
songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness. Picking
up a pen was my way of escaping into fantasy, history and memory.
I’ve told these stories to be the best of my ability with all the love,
wonder and whimsy they deserve. Now it’s up to you to pass them
down.”

Taylor Swift on the concept of folklore,

Instagram.

1
 cardigan

Vintage tee, brand new phone

High heels on cobblestones
When you are young, they assume you know nothing
Sequin smile, black lipstick
Sensual politics
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

But I knew you

Dancing on your Levi’s
Drunk under the streetlight
I knew you
Hand under my sweatshirt
Baby kiss it better
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed,
you put me on and said I was your favorite.

A friend to all is a friend to none

Chase two girls, lose the one
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

But I knew you

Playing hide-and-seek
And giving me your weekends
I knew you
Your heartbeat on the High Line
Once in twenty lifetimes
And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone’s bed,
you put me on and said I was your favorite.

To kiss in cars and downtown bars was all we needed

You drew stars around my scars but now I’m bleeding

Cause I knew you, stepping on the last train

Marked me like a bloodstain
I knew you
Tried to changed the ending Peter losing Wendy
I knew you
Leaving like a father, running like water
When you are young, they assume you know nothing

2
 But I knew you’d linger like a tattoo kiss
I knew you’d haunt all of my what-ifs
Smell of smoke would hang around this long
Cause I knew everything when I was young

I knew I’d curse you for a longest time

Chasing shadows in the grocery line
I knew you’d miss me once the thrill expired
And you’d be standing in my front porch light

And I knew you’d come back to me ~~~

Vintage (Adj) produced in the past, and typical of the period, in which it
was made.

Tee (N) a t-shirt.

Brand (N) a typical of product made by a particular company.

Cobblestone (N) a rounded stone used on the surface of an old-fashioned

road.

Sequin (Adj/N) a small, shiny metal or plastic disc sewn onto clothes for
decoration.

Sensual (Adj) expressing or suggesting physical, especially sexual,

pleasure or satisfaction.

3
Politics (N) the activities of the government, members of law-making
organizations, or people who try influence the way a
country is governed.

Sweatshirt (N) a piece of informal clothing with long sleeves, usually made
of thick cotton, worn on the upper part of the body.

Kiss it better kiss the wound to relieve pain.

A friend to all is a friend to none:

→ people having many friends are not trustworthy.
High Line: this is the name of a park in America.

Lifetime (N) the period of time during which sb lives or something

exists.

Downtown (Adj) in or to the central part of a city.

Bloodstain (N) a mark made by blood, often as a result of a violent event.

“Chase two girls, lose the one”

Linger (V) = Hang around (phV) to take a long time to leave or disappear.

Haunt (V) to cause repeated suffering or anxiety.

Shadow (N) an area of darkness, caused by light being blocked by

something.

Grocery (N) a store.

Grocery line: line of people waiting to pay at the supermarket.

For a longest time: for a very very very long time.

Thrill (N) a feeling of extreme excitement, usually caused by sth

pleasant.

Expire (V) if sth that lasts for a fixed length of time expires, it comes
to an end or stops being in use.

Porch (N) a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building.

4
 exile - feat Bon Iver

I can see you standing, honey

With his arms around your body
Laughin', but the joke's not funny at all
And it took you five whole minutes
To pack us up and leave me with it
Holding all this love out here in the hall

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before

I can see you staring, honey

Like he's just your understudy
Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me
Second, third, and hundredth chances
Balancing on breaking branches
Those eyes add insult to injury

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending
I'm not your problem anymore
So who am I offending now?
You were my crown, now I'm in exile, seeing you out
I think I've seen this film before
So I'm leaving out the side door

So step right out, there is no amount

Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very thin line
You didn't even hear me out
You never gave a warning sign
All this time
I never learned to read your mind
I couldn't turn things around
'Cause you never gave a warning sign

5
 So many signs, so many signs
You didn't even see the signs

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending
You're not my homeland anymore
So what am I defending now?
You were my town, now I'm in exile, seeing you out
I think I've seen this film before
So I'm leaving out the side door

So step right out, there is no amount

Of crying I can do for you
All this time
We always walked a very thin line
You didn't even hear me out
You never gave a warning sign
All this time
I never learned to read your mind
I couldn't turn things around
'Cause you never gave a warning sign
You never gave a warning sign (All this time)
(So many times) I never learned to read your mind
(So many signs) I couldn't turn things around
'Cause you never gave a warning sign
You never gave a warning sign
Ah, ah

Exile (N) the condition of sb being sent or kept away from their
own country, village,...especially for political
reasons.

Homeland (N) the country that you were born in.

Defend (V) to protect sb or sth against attack or criticism.

Stare (V) to look for a long time with the eyes wide open, especially
when surprised, frightened or thinking.

Understudy (N) an actor learning the parts of other actors in a play, so that
he or she can replace them if necessary.

6
Knuckle (N) one of the joints in the hand where your fingers join on to
the main part of your hand.

Bloody (Adj) covered with or full of blood, used to express anger to

emphasize what you are saying in a slightly rude
way.

Branch (N) a part of sth larger.

Add insult to injury: make the soul hurt strongly.

Offend (V) to make sb upset or angry.

There is no amount of ….

Thin (Adj) having a small distance between two opposite sides.

Sign (N) a notice giving information, directions, a warning, ….

Sign (V) to write your name, usually on a written or printed

document, to show that you agree with its contents
or have written or created it yourself.

Read sb’s mind: to understand sb’s mentality.

Turn things around: to turn the situation upside down.

7
 the 1

I'm doing good, I'm on some new shit

Been saying "yes" instead of "no"
I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though
I hit the ground running each night
I hit the Sunday matinée
You know the greatest films of all time were never made

I guess you never know, never know

And if you wanted me, you really should've showed
And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow
And it's alright now

But we were something, don't you think so?

Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you
In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one
(Ooh)

I have this dream you're doing cool shit

Having adventures on your own
You meet some woman on the internet and take her home
We never painted by the numbers, baby
But we were making it count
You know the greatest loves of all time are over now

I guess you never know, never know

And it's another day waking up alone
But we were something, don't you think so?
Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you

8
 In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one

I, I, I persist and resist the temptation to ask you

If one thing had been different
Would everything be different today?

We were something, don't you think so?

Rosé flowing with your chosen family
And it would've been sweet
If it could've been me
In my defense, I have none
For digging up the grave another time
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one
(Ooh)

The one (N) a very special person, soulmate .

On some new shit/ things: trying a new game, finding new hobbies.

Hit the ground running: immediately put all effort into making sth
successful.

Matinee (N) a film shown or a play performed during the day, especially
in the afternoon.

9
Roaring twenties: the years between 1920 and 1930, when society was
returning to normal after the First World War and
the general mood was positive.

Toss (V) to throw sth carelessly.

Penny (N) the smallest unit of money in the UK, of which there are 100 in a
pound, or a small coin worth this much.

In my defense: let me explain.

Leave well enough alone: to allow sth to stay as it is because doing more
might make things worse.

Doing cool shit/ things: do sth cool.

Pain by numbers: - sth that is very easy to do and does not need skill.
- to work in the old fashioned way.

Make it count: if deciding to do it, must do it.

Persist (V) if an unpleasant feeling or situation persists, it continues to
exist.

Resist (V) to fight against sth or sb that if attacking you.

Temptation (N) the wish to do or have sth that you know you should not do
or have.

Rosé (N) light pink wine.

Dig up sth (phV) to discover information about sb, especially damaging

information.

Grave (N) a place in the ground where a dead person is buried.

10
 august

Salt air and the rust on your door

I never needed anything more
Whispers of "Are you sure?"
"Never have I ever before"

But I can see us lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bed sheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine

Your back beneath the sun

Wishing I could write my name on it
Will you call when you're back at school?
I remember thinking I had you

But I can see us lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bed sheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine

Back when we were still changing for the better

Wanting was enough for me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Cancel plans just in case you'd call
And say "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love, and saying "Us"

11
 'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose
No

But I can see us lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bed sheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine, mine

'Cause you were never mine

Never mine
Do you remember?
Remember when I pulled up
And said "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans
Just in case you'd call
Back when I was living for the hope of it all
For the hope of it all
"Meet me behind the mall"

(Remember when I pulled up)

(And said "Get in the car")
(And then canceled my plans)
(Just in case you'd call)
(Back when I was living for the hope of it all)
(For the hope of it all)
("Meet me behind the mall")

Remember when I pulled up

And said "Get in the car"
And then canceled my plans
Just in case you'd call
Back when I was living for the hope of it all
(For the hope of it all)
For the hope of it all

Salt air: roughly refers to the wind in the sea.

Rust (N) a reddish-brown substance that forms on the surface of iron and
steel as a result of reacting with air and water.

12
Rust (V) to become or cause sth to become covered with rust.

Whisper (V) to speak very quietly, using the breath but not the voice, so
that only the person close to you can hear you.

“Never have I ever before”

Slip away (phV) to leave secretly.

“Moment in time”

Twist (V) to turn sth, especially repeatedly, or to turn or wrap one thing
around another.

Bed sheet: a sheet that you put on a bed, that you sleep either on top of or
underneath.

Beneath (prep) in or to a lower position than sb or sth, under sb or sth.

Pull up (V) Brake.

the last great American dynasty

Rebekah rode up on the afternoon train, it was sunny

Her saltbox house on the coast took her mind off St.Louis
Bill was the heir to the Standard Oil name and money
And the town said “How did a middle class divorcée do it?”

The wedding was charming, if a little gauche

There’s only so far new money goes
They picked out a home and called it “Holiday House”
Their parties were tasteful, if a little loud
The doctor had told him to settle down
It must have been her fault his heart gave out.

Rebekah gave up on the Rhole Island set forever

Flew in all the Bitch Pack friends from the city
Filled the pool with champagne and swam with the big names

13
 And blew through the money on the boys and the ballet
And losing on card game best with Dalí

And they said “There goes the last great American dynasty”
Who knows, if she never showed up, what could’ve been
There goes the most shameless woman this town has ever seen
She had a marvelous time ruining everything.

They say she was seen on occasion

Pacing the rocks staring out at the midnight sea
And in a feud with her neighbor
She stole his dog and dyed it key lime green
Fifty years is a long time
Holiday House sat quietly on that beach
Free of women with madness
Their men and bad habits, and then it was bought by me.

Who knows, if I never showed up what could’ve been

There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen
I had a marvelous time ruining everything
I had a marvelous time
Ruining everything
A marvelous time
Ruining everything
A marvelous time
I had a marvelous time.

14
Dynasty (n) a series of rulers or leaders who are all from the same
family, or a period when a country is ruled by
them.

Ride up on the train:

Saltbox house:
→ a traditional New England style of home.

Take sb’s mind off sth (phV) to stop you from worrying or thinking about
a problem or pain, often by forcing you to think
about other things.

Heir (N) a person who will legally receive money, property, or a title from
another person, especially an older member of
the same family, when that other person dies.

Divorcée (N) a man or a woman who is divorced and who has not married
again.

Charming (Adj) pleasant and attractive.

Gauche (Adj) awkward and uncomfortable with other people, especially

because young and without experience.

“There’s only so far new money goes”

Pick sth out = pick out sth (phV) if you pick out a tune, you play it slowly or
with difficulty, note by note.

Tasteful (Adj) attractive and chosen for style and quality.

Settle down (phV) to become familiar with a place and to feel happy and
confident in it.

Give out (phV) if a machine or part of your body gives out, it stops working.

Show up (phV) to arrive somewhere in order to join a group of people,

especially late or unexpectedly.

Marvelous (Adj) extremely good.

Ruin (V) to spoil or destroy sth completely.

Fly in (phV) to arrive somewhere by plane.

15
Blow through the money on sth (phV) spend a lot of money on sth.

Losing on card game bets with sb:

→play survival game with sb.

Shameless (adj) not ashamed, especially about sth generally considered

unacceptable.

On occasion: sometimes but not often.

Pace (v) to walk with regular steps in one direction and then back again, usually
because you are worried or nervous.

Feud (N) an argument that has existed for a long time between two people or
groups, causing a lot of anger or violence.

Dye (v) to change the colour of sth using a special liquid.

Key lime green

Free of sb/ sth: no one/ sth left.

my tears ricochet

We gather here, we line up, weeping in a sunlit room

And if I’m on fire, you’ll be made of ashes, too
Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe
All the hell you gave me?
‘Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you ‘til my dying day.

I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace

And you’re the hero flying around, saving face
And if I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet.

We gather stones, never knowing what they’ll mean

Some to throw, some to make a diamond ring
You know I didn’t want to have to haunt you
But what a ghostly scene
You wear the same jewels that I gave you as you bury me.

16
 I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace
‘Cause when I’d fight, you used to tell me I was brave
And if I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake?
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet.

And I can go anywhere I want

Anywhere I want, just not home
And you can aim for my heart, go for blood
But you would still miss me in your bones
And I still talk to you (when I’m screaming at the sky)
And when you can’t sleep at night (you hear my stolen lullabies)
I didn’t have it in myself to go with grace
And so the battleships will sink beneath the waves
You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same
Cursing my name, wishing I stayed
You turned into your worst fears
And you’re tossing out blame, drunk on this pain
Crossing out the good years
And you’re cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet.

17
Ricochet (v) if a ball or bullet ricochets, it hits a surface and moves away
from it at an angle.

Gather (v) to collect several things, often from different places or people.

Weep (v) = Cry.

Sunlit (adj) (of a room,…) receiving a lot of light from the sun.

Be on fire: the state of burning that produces flames that send out heat
and light, and might produce smoke.

Ash (n) the soft gray or black powder that is left after a substance, especially
tobacco, coal or wood, has burned.

Have it in sb: to have a particular quality or ability.

Grace (n) a quality of moving in a smooth, relaxed and attractive way.

Fly around (phV) if ideas, remarks or accusations are flying about/around,

they are passed quickly from one person to
another and cause excitement.

Save face: to keep your reputation and avoid others losing respect for you.

Ghostly (adj) pale and transparent in a way that does not seem real, like a
ghost.
Wake (n) an occasion when the family and friends of a dead person meet
in order to look at the dead body the night before
it is buried.
Stone (n) the hard, solid substance found in the ground that is often used
for building, or piece of this.

Aim (v) to point or direct a weapon towards sb or sth that you want to hit.

Bay for blood: if a group of people are baying for blood, they want sb to be
hurt or punished.

18
In your bones: in a way that is felt strongly, usually based on feelings or
instinct (=natural reactions) rather than
information.

Lullaby (n) a quiet song that is sung to children to help them go to sleep.

Battleship (n) a very large military ship with big guns.

Sink (v) to (cause sth or sb to) go down below the surface or to the
bottom of a liquid or soft substance.

Turn into sth (phV) to change or develop from one thing to another.

Toss out sth (phV) to remove sth.

Cross sth out (phV) to draw a line through sth you have written, usually
because it is wrong.
mirrorball

I want you to know

I'm a mirrorball
I'll show you every version of yourself tonight
I'll get you out on the floor
Shimmering beautiful
And when I break, it's in a million pieces

Hush, when no one is around, my dear

You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
Hush, I know they said the end is near
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

I want you to know

I'm a mirrorball
I can change everything about me to fit in
You are not like the regulars
The masquerade revelers
Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten

19
 Hush, when no one is around, my dear
You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you
Hush, I know they said the end is near
But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes
Spinning in my highest heels, love
Shining just for you

And they called off the circus, burned the disco down
When they sent home the horses and the rodeo clowns
I'm still on that tightrope
I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me
And I'm still a believer, but I don't know why
I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try
I'm still on that trapeze
I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me.

Because I'm a mirrorball

I'm a mirrorball
And I'll show you every version of yourself tonight.

20
Shimmer (v) to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly
and quickly.

Hush (v) a sudden, calm silence.

On tiptoe(s) (n) on your toes with the heel of your foot lifted off the
ground.

Spin (v) to (cause to) turn around and around, especially fast.

Fit in (phV) to feel that you belong to a particular group and are accepted
by that group.

Regulars (n) normal people.

Masquerade (n) behaviour that is intended to prevent the truth about sth
unpleasant or not wanted from becoming known.

Reveler (n) sb who dances, drinks, sings,… at a party or in public, especially

in a noisy way.

Shatter (v) to (cause sth to) break suddenly into very small pieces.

Edge (n) the outer or furthest point of sth.

Glisten (v) to shine by reflecting light from a wet or smooth surface.

Call off sth = call sth off (phV) to decide that a planned event will not
happen.

Circus (n) a group of travelling performers including acrobats or those

who work with trained animals, or a performance
by such people usually in a large tent.

Burn sth down (phV)

Rodeo (n) in North America, a sport and public entertainment in which

cowboys show different skills by riding wild horses
and catching cows with ropes.

21
Tightrope (n) a tightly stretched wire or rope fixed high above the ground,
across which skilled people walk, especially in
order to entertain others.

Trapeze (n) a short bar hanging up in the air from two ropes that acrobats
use to perform special movement.

Seven

Please picture me in the trees

I hit my peak at seven
Feet in the swing over the creek
I was too scared to jump in
But I, I was high in the sky
With Pennsylvania under me
Are there still beautiful things?

Sweet tea in the summer

Cross your heart, won't tell no other
And though I can’t recall your face
I still got love for you
Your braids like a pattern
Love you to the Moon and to Saturn
Passed down like folk songs
The love lasts so long

And I've been meaning to tell you

I think your house is haunted
Your dad is always mad and that must be why

22
And I think you should come live with me
And we can be pirates
Then you won't have to cry
Or hide in the closet
And just like a folk song
Our love will be passed on

Please picture me in the weeds

Before I learned civility
I used to scream ferociously
Any time I wanted

Sweet tea in the summer

Cross my heart, won’t tell no other
And though I can't recall your face

I still got love for you

Pack your dolls and a sweater
We'll move to India forever
Passed down like folk songs
Our love lasts so long.

23
Hit peak: to reach the top.

Swing (n) a seat joined by tow ropes or chains to metal bar or a tree, on
which you can sit and move backwards and
forwards.

Creek (n) a narrow area of water that flows into the land from the sea, a
lake,…

Cross my heart: said to show that what you have just said or promised is
completely true or sincere.

Recall (v) to bring the memory of a past event into your mind, and often
to give a description of what you remember.

Braid (n) a length of hair or other material that is divided into three parts
that are then crossed over each other in a special
pattern.

Pattern (n) a particular way in which sth is done, is organized, or happens.

Love you to the moon and to the Saturn:

= Love you to the moon and back.

Pass down (phV) to give sth to sb who is younger, less important, or at a

lower level than you.

I’ve been meaning to tell you = I want to tell you.

Pirate (n) a person who sails in a ship and attacks other ships in order
to steal from them.

Closet (n) a cupboard or a small room with a door, used for storing things,
especially clothes.

Pass on sth (phV) to give sth to sb, after sb else gave it to you.

24
Weed (n) any wild plant that grows in an unwanted place, especially in a
garden or field where it prevents the cultivated
plants from growing freely.

Civility (n) politeness or a polite remark.

Ferociously (adv) in a frightening and violent way.

Sweater (n) a piece of clothing, typically with long sleeves and made from
wool, that is worn on the upper part of the body.

this is me trying

I've been having a hard time adjusting

I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting
I didn't know if you'd care if I came back
I have a lot of regrets about that
Pulled the car off the road to the lookout
Could've followed my fears all the way down
And maybe I don't quite know what to say
But I'm here in your doorway

I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

They told me all of my cages were mental

So I got wasted like all my potential
And my words shoot to kill when I'm mad
I have a lot of regrets about that
I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere

25
 Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here
Pouring out my heart to a stranger
But I didn't pour the whiskey

I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

At least I'm trying

And it's hard to be at a party when I feel like an open wound

It's hard to be anywhere these days when all I want is you
You're a flashback in a film reel on the one screen in my town

And I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

(And maybe I don't quite know what to say)
I just wanted you to know that this is me trying

At least I'm trying

26
Adjust (v) to change sth slightly, especially to make it more correct,
effective or suitable.

Wheel (n) - a circular object connected at the centre to a bar, used for
making vehicles or parts of machines move.

- ups and downs.

Regret (n) a feeling of sadness about sth sad or wrong or about a mistake
that you have made and wish that it could have
been different and better.

Pull off (phV) if a vehicle pulls off, it starts moving.

Lookout (n) - a person who watches for danger.

- a high place where a person can look at what is happening in

the area around them, especially in order to watch
for any danger.

All the way down = to the end.

Doorway (n) the space in a wall there a door opens, or a covered area just
outside a door.

Cage (n) a space surrounded on all sides by bars or wire, in which animals
or birds are kept.

Mental (adj) relating to the mind, or involving the process of thinking.

Potential (n) sb’s or sth’s ability to develop, achieve or succeed.

Shoot (v) to fire a bullet or an arrow, or to hit, injure, or kill a person or

animal by firing a bullet or arrow at him, her or it.

Curve (n) a line that bends continuously and has no straight parts.

Sphere (n) an object shaped like a round ball.

27
Pour (v) to make a substance flow from a container, especially into another
container, by raising just one side of the container
that the substance is in

Pour sth out = pour out sth: to tell all your problems or feelings to sb,
especially privately or secretly.

“open wound”

Flashback (n) a short part of a film, story or play that goes back to events in
the past.

Reel (n) a round, wheel-shaped object on which sewing thread, fishing wire,
film,… can be rolled, or the amount of thread,…
stored on one of these.

invisible string

Green was the color of the grass

Where I used to read at Centennial Park
I used to think I would meet somebody there
Teal was the color of your shirt
When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop
You used to work at to make a little money

Time, curious time

Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab

On your first trip to LA
You ate at my favorite spot for dinner
Bold was the waitress on our three-year trip

28
 Getting lunch down by the Lakes
She said I looked like an American singer

Time, mystical time

Cutting me open, then healing me fine
Were there clues I didn't see?
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?

A string that pulled me

Out of all the wrong arms, right into that dive bar
Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire
Chains around my demons
Wool to brave the seasons
One single thread of gold
Tied me to you

Cold was the steel of my axe to grind

For the boys who broke my heart
Now I send their babies presents
Gold was the color of the leaves
When I showed you around Centennial Park
Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

Time, wondrous time

Gave me the blues and then purple-pink skies
And it's cool
Baby, with me
And isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some
Invisible string
Tying you to me?

Invisible (adj) impossible to see.

29
String (n) a strong, thin rope made by twisting very thin threads together,
used for fastening and tying things.

Teal (n) a dark greenish-blue colour.

Yogurt (n) a slightly sour, thick liquid made from with milk bacteria added
to it, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes
with sugar, fruit,…

Curious (adj) interested in learning about people or things around you.

Compass (n) a device for finding direction with a needle that can move
easily and that always points to magnetic
north.

Clue (n) a sign or some information that helps you to find the answer to a
problem, question or mystery.

Tie (v) to fasten together two ends of a piece of string or other long, thin
material, or to (cause to) hold together with a
long, thin piece of string, material,…

Cab (n) the separate front part of a large vehicle, such as a truck, bus or
train, in which the driver sits.

Spot (n) a small, usually round area of colour that is differently coloured or
lighter or darker than the surface around it.

Bold (adj) not frightened of danger.

Waitress (n) a woman whose job is to bring the food to customers at their
tables in a restaurant.

Mystical (adj) relating to the belief that there is hidden meaning in life, or
that each human being can unite with God.

Cut sb open (phV) hurt sb’s spirit.

Dive (adv) to jump into water, especially with your head and arms going in
first, or to move down under the water.

Wrap (v) to cover or surround sth with paper, cloth, or other material.

30
Barb (n) the sharp part that points backwards from a fish hook or arrow,
making it hard to remove it from sth.

Wire (n) a piece of thin metal thread that can be bent, used for fastening
things and for making particular types of
objects that are strong but can bend.

Barbed wire (n) a type of strong wire with sharp points on it, used to
prevent people or animals from entering or
leaving a place, especially a field.

Chain = string.
Demon (n) an evil spirit.

Wool (n) the soft, thick hair that grows on the bodies of sheep and some
other animals.

Thread (n) (a length of) a very thin fibre.

Steel (n) a strong metal that is a mixture of iron and carbon, used for
making things that need a strong structure,
especially vehicles and buildings.

Axe (n) a tool that has a heavy iron or steel blade at the end of a long
wooden handle, used for cutting wood.

Grind (v) to make sth into small pieces or a powder by pressing between
hard surfaces.

Show sb around (sth) (phV) to go with sb to all parts, or the main parts, of a
place that they have not visited before, so that
they can see what it is like or learn about it.

Wondrous (adj) extremely and surprisingly good.

“Cold was the steel of my axe to grind”

→ Everything I do has a purpose.

31
 illicit affairs

Make sure nobody sees you leave

Hood over your head
Keep your eyes down
Tell your friends you're out for a run
You'll be flushed when you return
Take the road less traveled by
Tell yourself you can always stop
What started in beautiful rooms
Ends with meetings in parking lots

And that's the thing about illicit affairs

And clandestine meetings
And longing stares
It's born from just one single glance
But it dies, and it dies, and it dies
A million little times

Leave the perfume on the shelf

That you picked out just for him
So you leave no trace behind
Like you don't even exist
Take the words for what they are
A dwindling, mercurial high
A drug that only worked
The first few hundred times

And that's the thing about illicit affairs

And clandestine meetings
And stolen stares
They show their truth one single time

32
 But they lie, and they lie, and they lie
A billion little times

And you wanna scream

Don't call me kid
Don't call me baby
Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
You showed me colors you know
I can't see with anyone else

Don't call me kid

Don't call me baby
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
You taught me a secret language
I can't speak with anyone else
And you know damn well
For you I would ruin myself
A million little times

Illicit (adj) illegal or disapproved of by society.

Affair (n) a situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered.

Hood (v) wear a hoodie.

Flush (v) to become red in the face.

Clandestine (adj) planned or done in secret, especially describing sth that is

not officially allowed.

Glance (n) a quick short look.

Trace (n) to find sb or sth that was lost.

Dwindle (v) to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number.

33
Mercurial (v) changing suddenly and often.

Drug (n) any natural or artificially made chemical that is used as a

medicine.

Godforsaken (adj) a godforsaken place is not attractive and contains nothing

interesting or pleasant.

Mess (n) mess or a mess is sth or sb that looks dirty or untidy.

Idiotic (adj) = stupid.

mad woman

What did you think I'd say to that?

Does a scorpion sting when fighting back?
They strike to kill, and you know I will
You know I will
What do you sing on your drive home?
Do you see my face in the neighbor's lawn?
Does she smile?
Or does she mouth, "Fuck you forever"?

Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy

What about that?
And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry

And there's nothing like a mad woman

What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothing like a mad woman

34
 Now I breathe flames each time I talk
My cannons all firin' at your yacht
They say "move on," but you know I won't
And women like hunting witches too
Doing your dirtiest work for you
It's obvious that wanting me dead
Has really brought you two together

Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy

What about that?
And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry

And there's nothing like a mad woman

What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothing like a mad woman

I'm taking my time, taking my time

'Cause you took everything from me
Watching you climb, watching you climb
Over people like me
The master of spin has a couple side flings
Good wives always know
She should be mad, should be scathing like me, but

No one likes a mad woman

What a shame she went mad
You made her like that

35
Scorpion (n) a small creature to an insect that lives in hot, dry areas of the
world and has a long body and a curved tail with a
poisonous sting.

Sting (v) if an insect, plant, or animal stings, it produces a small but

painful injury, usually with a poison, by brushing
against the skin or making a very small hole in the
skin.

Strike (v) to cause a person or place to suffer severely from the effects of
sth very unpleasant that happens suddenly.

Lawn (n) an area of grass, especially near a house or in a park, that is cut
regularly to keep it short.

Poke (v) to push a finger or other pointed object quickly into sb or sth.

Poke the bear: to intentionally make or try to make someone angry or

offended, especially sb more powerful than you.

Claw (n) one of the sharp curved nails at the end of each of the toes of some
animals and birds.

Wrap (v) to cover or surround sth with paper, cloth, or other material.

Noose (n) one end of a rope tied to form a circle can be tightened round sth
such as a person’s neck to hang.

Cannon (n) a large, powerful gun, usually attached to two or four wheels,
that was used in the past to fire heavy stone or
metal balls.

Yacht (n) a boat with sails and sometimes an engine, used for either racing
or travelling on for pleasure.

Obvious (adj) easy to see, recognize or understand.

Master (n) a person who employs a servant or owns a slave.

36
Spin (n) the movement of sth turning round very quickly.

Fling (n) a short period of enjoyment.

Scathing (adj) criticizing sb or sth in a severe and unkind way.

epiphany
Keep your helmet, keep your life, son
Just a flesh wound, here's your rifle
Crawling up the beaches now
"Sir, I think he's bleeding out"
And some things you just can't speak about

With you I serve, with you I fall down, down

Watch you breathe in, watch you breathing out, out

Something med school did not cover

Someone's daughter, someone's mother
Holds your hand through plastic now
"Doc, I think she's crashing out"
And some things you just can't speak about

With you I serve, with you I fall down, down

Watch you breathe in, watch you breathing out, out
With you I serve , with you I fall down, down
Watch you breathe in, watch you breathing out, out.

Only twenty minutes to sleep

But you dream of some epiphany
Just one single glimpse of relief
To make some sense of what you've seen

37
Epiphany (n) a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or
suddenly become conscious of, sth that is very
important to you.
Flesh (n) the soft part of the body of a person or animal that is between the
skin and the bones, or the soft inside part of a
fruit or vegetable.

Rifle (n) a type od gun with a long barrel, fired from the shoulder and
designed to be accurate at long distance.

Crawl (v) to move along on hands and knees or with your body stretched
out along a surface.

Bleed out (phV) to die from loss of blood.

Serve (v) to provide food or drinks.

Fall down (phV) to fall to the ground.

Med = medical.

Plastic (n) an artificial substance that can be shaped when soft into many
different forms and has many different uses.

Crash (v) if a vehicle crashes or sb crashes it, it is involved in an

accident, usually a serious one in which the
vehicle í dameged and sb is hurt.

Crash out (phV) to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired.

Betty

Betty, I won't make assumptions

About why you switched your homeroom, but
I think it's 'cause of me
Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard

38
 When I passed your house
It's like I couldn't breathe

You heard the rumors from Inez

You can't believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you

But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go fuck myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

Betty, I know where it all went wrong

Your favorite song was playing
From the far side of the gym
I was nowhere to be found
I hate the crowds, you know that
Plus, I saw you dance with him

You heard the rumors from Inez

You can't believe a word she says
Most times, but this time it was true
The worst thing that I ever did
Was what I did to you

But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me? Would you want me?
Would you tell me to go fuck myself
Or lead me to the garden?
In the garden, would you trust me
If I told you it was just a summer thing?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

39
 I was walking home on broken cobblestones
Just thinking of you when she pulled up like
A figment of my worst intentions
She said "James, get in, let's drive"
Those days turned into nights
Slept next to her, but
I dreamt of you all summer long

Betty, I'm here on your doorstep

And I planned it out for weeks now
But it's finally sinking in
Betty, right now is the last time
I can dream about what happens when
You see my face again

The only thing I wanna do

Is make it up to you
So I showed up at your party
Yeah, I showed up at your party

Yeah, I showed up at your party

Will you have me? Will you love me?
Will you kiss me on the porch
In front of all your stupid friends?
If you kiss me, will it be just like I dreamed it?
Will it patch your broken wings?
I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything
But I know I miss you

Standing in your cardigan

Kissin' in my car again
Stopped at a streetlight
You know I miss you.

40
Assumption (n) sth that you accept as true without question or proof.

Make assumptions (phV)

Switch (v) to use a switch to change a device from one state or type of
operation to another.

Homeroom (n) a room in a school where members of a particular group

of students go for their teacher to record that
they are present, usually at the beginning of the
day.

Skateboard (n) a flat, narrow board with two small wheels under each
end, which a person stands on and moves
forward by pushing one foot on the ground.

Show up (phV) to arrive somewhere in order to join a group of people,

especially late or unexpectedly.

Go fuck oneself (phV) cruelly chase sb away.

Summer thing (n) having crush on sb a little bit.

Go wrong (phV) to make a mistake or a bad decision.

Plus (prep) added to.

41
Pull up (phV) when a car or sb driving a car pulls up, the driver stops the
car, often for a short time.
Figment (n) sth that seems real but is not.

Intention (n) sth that you want and planed to do.

Doorstep (n) a step in front of an outside door.

Plan sth out (phV) to think about and decide what you are going to do or
how you are going to do sth.

Sink in (phV if an unpleasant or surprising face or idea sinks in, you

gradually start to believe it, understand it, or
realize the effect it will have on you.

Make it up to sb: to do sth good for sb you have upset, in order to become
friends with them again.

Patch (v) to put a patch on sth.

Wing (n) the flat part of the body that a bird, insect, or bat uses for flying,
or one of the flat, horizontal structures that stick
out from the side of an aircraft and support it
when it is flying.

peace

Our coming-of-age has come and gone

Suddenly this summer, it's clear
I never had the courage of my convictions
As long as danger is near
And it's just around the corner, darlin'
'Cause it lives in me
No, I could never give you peace

42
 But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade, ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret
The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Your integrity makes me seem small

You paint dreamscapes on the wall
I talk shit with my friends, it's like I'm wasting your honor
And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences
Sit with you in the trenches
Give you my wild, give you a child
Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other
Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother
Is it enough?
But there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west
I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best
But the rain is always gonna come if you're standin' with me

But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade, ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret
The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

43
Peace (n) the state of not being interrupted or annoyed by worry, problems,
noise, or unwanted actions.

Coming-of-age (n) sb’s coming-of-age is the time when that person legally
becomes an adult and is old enough to vote.

Courage (n) the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult

situation.

Confiction (n) the fact of officially being found to be guilty of a particular

crime, or the act of officially finding sb guilty.

Corner (n) the point, area, or line that is performed by the meeting of two
lines, surfaces, roads, …

Brittle (adj) delicate and easily broken.

Cascade (n) a small waterfall, often one of a group.

Detail (n) a single piece of information or face about sth.

Integrity (n) the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
that you refuse to change.

-scape (suffix) used to form nouns referring to a wide view of a place, often
one represented in a picture.

Dreamscape (n) dream scene.

Talk shit (phV) talk nonsense.

Honor (n) great respect for sb, or the feeling of pride and pleasure
resulting when respect is shown to you.

44
Swing (v) to move easily and without interruption backwards and forwards
or from one side to the other, especially from a
fixed point, or to cause sth or sb to do this.

Fense (n) a structure that divides two areas of land, similar to a wall but
made of wood or wire and supported with posts.

Trench (n) a narrow hole that is dug into the ground.

In the trenches: working in the most active and difficult parts of a job or
business.

Robber (n) sb who steals.

hoax

My only one
My smoking gun
My eclipsed sun
This has broken me down
My twisted knife
My sleepless night
My winless fight
This has frozen my ground

Stood on the cliffside screaming, "Give me a reason"

Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in
Don't want no other shade of blue but you
No other sadness in the world would do

My best laid plan

45
 Your sleight of hand
My barren land
I am ash from your fire

Stood on the cliffside screaming, "Give me a reason"

Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in
Don't want no other shade of blue but you
No other sadness in the world would do

You know I left a part of me back in New York

You knew the hero died so what's the movie for?
You knew it still hurts underneath my scars
From when they pulled me apart
You knew the password so I let you in the door
You knew you won so what's the point of keeping score?
You knew it still hurts underneath my scars
From when they pulled me apart
But what you did was just as dark

Darling, this was just as hard

As when they pulled me apart

My only one
My kingdom come undone
My broken drum
You have beaten my heart
Don't want no other shade of blue but you
No other sadness in the world would do

46
Hoax (n) a plan do decide sb, such as telling the police there is a bomb
somewhere when there is not one, or a trick.

Smoking gun (n) information that proves who committed a crime.

Eclipsed sun (n) the eclipse of the sun.

Cliffside (n) cliffs by the abyss.

Faithless (adj) not loyal and not able to be trusted.

Shade (n) slight darkness caused by sth blocking the direct light from the
sun.

Sleight of hand (n) speed and skill of the hand when performing tricks.

Barren (adj) unable to produce plants or fruit.

Underneath (prep, adv) under or below.

Pull sth apart (phV) to destroy sth by tearing it into pieces.

Drum (n) a musical instrument, especially one made from a skin stretched
over the end of a hollow tube or bowl, played by
hitting with the hand or a stick.

47
 the lakes (bonus track)

Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?

I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones
These hunters with cell phones

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse

What should be over burrowed under my skin

In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I've come too far to watch some namedropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse

I want auroras and sad prose

I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you
Elegy (n) a sad poem or song, especially remembering sb who has died or sth
in the past.

Eulogize (v) to praise sb or sth in a speech or piece of writing.

Cut out for sth (phV) run away from sth.

48
Cynical (adj) believing that people are only interested in themselves and are
not sincere.

Clone (n) a plant or animal that has the same genes as the original from
which it was produced.

Poet (n) a person who writes poems.

Your beloved (n) sb that you love and who you have a romantic
relationship with.

Set off (phV) to start on a trip.

Muse (n) a person, or an imaginary being or force that gives sb ideas and
helps them to write, paint, or make music.

Burrow (v) to dig a hole in the ground, especially to live in.

Name-drop (v) to talk about famous people that you have met, often
pretending that you know them better than you
really do, in order to appear more important and
special.

Sleaze (n) activities, especially business or political, of a low moral

standard.

Aurora 9n) a natural appearance of coloured light in the sky, that is usually
seen in the latitudes nearest the Arctic or
Antarctic.

Prose (n) written language in its ordinary form rather than poetry.

Wisteria (n) a climbing plant with groups of small purple, blue, or white
flowers hanging from it.

Tweet (v) when a bird tweets, it makes a short, high sound.

Bathe (v) to swim, especially in the sea, a river, or a lake.

Calamitous (adj) causing great damage or suffering.

Insurmountable (adj) (especially of a problem or a difficulty) so great that it

cannot be dealt with successfully.

49
Grief (n) very great sadness, especially at the death of someone.

50