Learn English with Songs: “Messages”

Hi ABA friends!

It’s always good to be introduced to a new artist, right? Today we will be reading and singing with singer Xavier Rudd. He is an Australian multi-instrumentalist. This means he can play many different instruments, sometimes at the same time!

He often sings about social movements, and the song “Messages” is about the environment. He wrote it to make us realize we need to be more careful with our planet.

First, read our article on how to learn English with songs.

1. Read the lyrics
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Sing with Xavier Rudd!

Lyrics

So now come sit down,
Will you talk with me now?
Let me see through your eyes
Where there is so much light
We are biding our time
For these myths to unwind
For these changes we will confront

So please beware
With every place that you had
Look to your soul
For the things that you know
For the trees that we see
Cannot forever breathe
With the changes they will confront

CHORUS
You know some people they just won’t understand
no they just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things

For this sacred land
It has seen many hands
It has wealth and gold
Yet it is fragile and old
And all the greedy souls
Just don’t care to know
Of the change it will confront

So speak out loud
Of the things you are proud
And if you love this coast
Then keep it clean as it hopes
‘Cause the way that it shines
May just dwindle with time
With the changes it will confront

CHORUS
You know some people they just won’t understand
no they just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things 

So hold nice and close
I want to get to your soul
So that when it is cold
You won’t feel so alone
‘Cause the roads that you take
May just crack and break
With the changes you will confront

With each gift that you share
You may heal and repair
With each choice you make
You may help someone’s day
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck

CHORUS
You know some people they just won’t understand
no they just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things 

Vocabulary

Biding – to wait for the right time before you do something.

Myths – an idea or story that is believed by many people but that is not true.

Unwind – to move the end of something (such as a piece of string) that is wound in a roll, coil, etc., so that it becomes straight.

Confront – to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way.

Beware – to be careful : to act in a way that shows you know that there may be danger or trouble.

Wealth – the value of all the property, possessions, and money that someone or something has.

Greedy – having or showing a selfish desire to have more of something (such as money or food) :having greed.

Dwindle – to gradually become smaller.

‘Cause – short way of writing “because”.

 

Video

 

Did you like Xavier Rudd? What is your favourite song?