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The Role Of Songs

Songs are considered to be one of the best ways to learn a language. One may like the rythm of the song or the voice of the singer, but no knowing a word of the lyric. so how can we learn wihout knowing a word?

I will mention two main positive points: Automaticity and Rising Curiosity:

Automaticity:

Automaticity is defined as the ability to do things without occupying the mind with the low-level details required, allowing it to become an automatic response pattern or habit. It is usually the result of learning, repetition, and practice. Examples of automaticity are common activities such as walking, speaking, bicycle-riding, assembly-line work, and driving a car (see Highway hypnosis). After an activity is sufficiently practiced, it is possible to focus the mind on other activities or thoughts while undertaking an automaticized activity

Rising Curiosity

"Curiosity is disposition to inquire, investigate or seek after knowledge... It is the source of internal motivation; and the nternal otivation avoids the problem of rebellion caused by externally applied motivators i.e. Parents, Instructors, Peer groups and Society."

As B. Somrongthong said above,the curiosity is what encourages us to learn once you love something. But the preceduce of discovering "the unknown", that is the language we want to learn, is not an easy way. We should be patient and start with the easiest thing for once starting with the hard things is as if you swim upstream. He will get tired and blocked sooner or later.

Now my bunch of advices for learners are

  • Listen over and over.
  • Refer to the script /lyric to check that you ears guess the right word.
  • Use a dictionary (if you are a biginner learner, use a bilingula dictionary).
  • Finally, ask you teacher for the meaning of phrases or idioms that don't make sense for you.
  • Write down the explianed words in your notebook to use them later.



    Click on the icon  to listen to the song and click on the song's title to read

       

    Read: You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.

    Read: Ticket To Ride.

    Read: Moonshadow.

    Read: Peace Train.

    Read: Don't be Shy!

    Read: If You Want to Sing Out.

    Read:Father and Son.

    Read: Shower The People.

    Read: I'm a Believer.

    Read: Daydream Believer.

    Read: Kisses Sweeter Than Wine.

    Read: Sing Our Own Song.

    Read: Wonderful Tonight.

    Read: Like The Weather.

    Read:New York State of Mind.

    Read: Seasons of Love.

    Read: 2000 Miles.




    You've got to hide your love away

    Here I stand head in hand
    Turn my face to the wall
    If she's gone I can't go on
    Feelin' two-foot small.

    Everywhere people stare
    Each and every day
    I can see them
    laugh at me
    And I hear them say:

    Hey, you've got to
    hide your love away
    Hey, you've got to
    hide your love away

    How could I even try
    I can never win
    Hearing them,
    seeing them
    In the state I'm in

    How could she say to me
    Love will find a way
    Gather round
    all you clowns
    Let me hear you say:

    Hey, you've got to
    hide your love away
    Hey, you've got to hide
    your love away.




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    Ticket to Ride

    I think I'm gonna be sad,
    I think it's today, yeah.
    The girl that's driving me mad
    Is going away.

    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    Shevs got a ticket to ride,
    But she don't care.

    She said that living with me
    Is bringing her down yeah.
    For she would never be free
    When I was around.

    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    But she don't care.

    I don't know why
    she's ridin' so high,
    She ought to think twice,
    She ought to do right by me.
    Before she gets to saying goodbye,
    She ought to think twice,
    She ought to do right by me.

    I think I'm gonna be sad,
    I think it's today, yeah.
    The girl that's driving me mad.
    Is going away, yeah.

    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    But she don't care.

    I don't know why
    she's ridin' so high,
    She ought to think twice,
    She ought to do right by me
    Before she gets to saying goodbye,
    She ought to think twice.
    She ought to do right by me.

    She said that living with me,
    Is bringing her down, yeah.
    For she would never be free
    When I was around.

    Ah, she's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    She's got a ticket to ride,
    But she doesn't care.

    My baby don't care,
    my baby don't care.
    My baby don't care,
    my baby don't care.
    My baby don't care,
    my baby don't care.



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    Moonshadow

    Oh, I'm bein' followed
    By a moonshadow,
    moonshadow,
    moonshadow
    Leapin' and hoppin'
    on a moonshadow.
    moonshadow,
    moonshadow.

    And if I ever lose my
    hands, lose my plough,
    lose my land.
    Oh if I ever lose my
    hands, oh if.... I won't
    have to work no more.

    And if I ever lose my
    Eyes, if my colors
    All run dry.
    Yes if I ever lose my
    Eyes, oh if.... I won't
    Have to cry no more.

    And if I ever lose my
    Legs, I won't moan,
    And I wont beg,
    Yes if I ever lose my
    Legs, oh if.... I won't
    Have to walk no more.

    And if I ever lose my
    Mouth, all my teeth,
    North and south,
    Yes if I ever lose my
    Mouth, oh if....
    I wont have to talk...

    Did it take long to find
    Me? I asked the
    Faithful light.
    Did it take long to find
    Me? And are you
    Gonna stay the night?



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    Peace Train

    Now I've been happy lately,
    Thinking about the good
    Things to come
    And I believe it could be,
    Something good has begun.

    Oh I've been smiling lately,
    Dreaming about
    The world as one
    And I believe it could be,
    Some day it's going to come.

    Cause out on the edge of Darkness,
    There rides a peace train
    Oh peace train take this Country,
    Come take me home again

    Now I've been smiling lately,
    Thinking about the good
    Things to come
    And I believe it could be,
    Something good has begun.

    Oh peace train
    Sounding louder
    Glide on the peace train.
    Come on now peace train.

    Yes, peace train holy roller,
    Everyone jump upon the Peace train
    Come on now peace train
    Get your bags together, go
    Bring your good friends too
    'Cause it's getting nearer,
    It soon will be with you.

    Now come and join the living,
    It's not so far from you
    And it's getting nearer,
    Soon it will all be true.

    Now I've been crying lately,
    Thinking about the World as it is
    Why must we go on hating,
    Why can't we live in bliss?

    Cause out on the edge of Darkness,
    There rides a peace train
    Oh peace train take this country,
    Come take me home again.



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    Don't be Shy!

    Don't be shy!
    Just let your feelings
    Roll on by.
    Don't wear fear!
    Or nobody will know
    You're there.
    Just lift your head,
    And let your feelings Out instead.
    And don't be shy!
    Just let your feeling
    Roll on by, on by, on by.

    You know, love
    Is better than a song.
    Love is where
    All of us belong.

    So don't be shy!
    Just let your feelings
    Roll on by.
    Don't wear fear!
    Or nobody will know
    You're there,
    You're there.

    Don't be shy
    Just let your feelings
    Roll on by.
    Don't wear fear!
    Or nobody will know
    You're there.

    Just lift your head,
    And let your feelings
    Out instead.
    And don't be shy!
    Just let your feelings
    Roll on by,
    On by, on by.



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    If You Want to Sing Out

    Well if you wanna sing out, Sing out.
    And if you wanna be free, be free.
    'Cause there's a million things to be,
    You know that there are.
    And if you wanna live high, live high.
    And if you wanna live low, live low.
    'Cause there's a million ways to go,
    You know that there are.

    You can do what you want,
    The opportunity's on.
    And if you can find a new way,
    You can do it today.
    You can make it all true,
    And you can make it undo.
    You see ah ah ah
    It is easy ah ah ah
    You only need to know.

    Well if you wanna say yes,
    Say yes.
    And if you wanna say no, Say no.
    'Cause there's a million ways to go,
    You know that there are.

    And if you wanna be me, be me.
    And if you wanna be you, be you.
    'Cause there's a million things to do,
    You know that there are.

    Well if you wanna sing out,
    Sing out.
    And if you wanna be free, Be free.
    'Cause there's a million things to be…
    You know that there are
    You know that there are
    You know that there are
    You know that there are
    You know that there are.



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    Father and Son

    Father:
    It's not time to make a change, just relax,
    Take it easy.
    You're still young.
    That's your fault.
    There's so much
    You have to know.
    Find a girl, settle down,
    If you want you can marry.
    Look at me, I am old,
    But I'm happy.

    I was once like you are now,
    And I know that it's not easy
    To be calm when you've found
    Something going on.
    But take your time, think a lot,
    Why, think of everything you've got.
    For you will still be here tomorrow,
    But your dreams may not.

    Son:
    How can I try to explain,
    When I do
    He turns away again.
    It's always been the same,
    Same old story.
    From the moment I could talk,
    I was ordered to listen.
    Now there's a way and I know
    that I have to go away.
    I know I have to go.
    Father:
    It's not time to make a change,
    Just sit down, take it slowly.
    You're still young,
    That's your fault,
    There's so much
    You have to go through.
    Find a girl, settle down,
    If you want you can marry.
    Look at me, I am old,
    But I'm happy.
    (son: away away away, I
    know I have to make this
    decision alone - no)

    Son:
    All the times that I cried,
    Keeping all the things
    I knew inside,
    It's hard, but it's harder
    To ignore it.
    If they were right, I'd agree,
    But it's them you know,
    Not me.
    Now there's a way and I know
    That I have to go away.
    I know I have to go.
    (father: stay stay stay,
    why must you go and
    Make this decision alone?)



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    Shower the People

    You can play the game.
    And you can act out the part
    Though you know
    It wasn't written for you.
    But tell me, how can you stand
    There with your broken heart'
    Ashamed of playing the fool?
    One thing can lead to another;
    It doesn't take any sacrifice.
    Oh, father and mother,
    Sister and brother
    If it feels nice, don't think twice.

    Just shower the people.
    You love with love.
    Show them the way that you feel.
    Things are gonna work out fine,
    If you only will, Shower the people
    You love with love.
    Show them the way you feel.
    Things are gonna be much better
    If you only will.

    You can run but you cannot hide.
    This is widely known.
    And what you plan to do
    With your foolish pride,
    When you're all by yourself alone?
    Once you tell somebody
    The way that you feel,
    You can feel it beginning to ease.
    I think it's true what they say
    About the squeaky wheel
    Always getting the grease.

    Better to shower the people.
    You love with love.
    Show them the way that you feel.
    Things are gonna be just fine if
    You only will.
    Shower the people.
    You love with love.
    Show them the way that you feel.
    Things are gonna be much better,
    If you only will.
    Shower the people
    You love with love,
    Show them the way that you feel.

    You'll feel better right away
    Don't take much to do.
    Sell you pride…
    They say in every life,
    They say the rain must fall
    Just like pouring rain.
    Make it rain, Make it rain
    Love, love, love is sunshine.
    Oh yes, Make it rain,
    Love, love, love is sunshine
    Yeah, all right, Everybody,
    Everybody, Shower the people
    You love with love.



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    I'm a Believer

    I thought love was only
    True in fairy tales.
    Meant for someone else
    But not for me.
    Love was out to get me
    That's the way it seemed.
    Disappointment haunted
    All my dreams.

    Then I saw her face,
    Now I'm a believer
    Not a trace
    of doubt in my mind.
    I'm in love.
    I'm a believer!
    I couldn't leave her
    If I tried.
    I thought love was more
    Or less a given thing,
    Seems the more I gave
    The less I got.
    What's the use in tryin' ?
    All you get is pain.
    When I needed sunshine
    I got rain.

    Then I saw her face,
    Now I'm a believer
    Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
    I'm in love.
    I’m a believer!
    I couldn't leave her If I'm tried.



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    Daydream Believer

    Oh, I could hide
    'neath the wings
    Of the bluebird as she sings.
    The six o'clock alarm
    Would never ring.
    Whoops it's ringing
    And I rise,
    Wipe the sleep out
    Of my eyes.
    My shavin' razor's cold
    And it stings.

    Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
    Oh, what can it mean?
    To a daydream believer
    And a homecoming queen.

    You once thought of me
    As a white knight on a steed.
    Now you know how happy I can be.
    Oh, and our good times starts and end
    Without dollar one to spend.
    But how much, baby,
    Do we really need?

    Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
    Oh, what can it mean?
    To a daydream believer
    And a homecoming queen.
    Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
    Oh, what can it mean?
    To a daydream believer
    And a homecoming queen.

    Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
    Oh, what can it mean?
    To a daydream believer,
    And a homecoming queen.



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    Kisses Sweeter than Wine

    When I was a young man
    And never been kissed
    I got to thinking it over
    What I had missed.
    I got me a girl,
    I kissed her and then,
    Oh lord, I kissed her again.

    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine,
    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine.

    I asked her to marry
    Bnd be my sweet wife,
    And we would be so happy
    the rest of our lives.
    I begged and I pleaded
    like a natural man,
    And then, oh lord,
    She gave me her hand.

    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine,
    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine.

    I worked mighty hard
    And so did my wife,
    Workin' hand in hand
    To make a good life.
    With corn in the field
    And wheat in the bins,
    I was, oh lord,
    The father of twins.

    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine,
    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine.

    Our children they numbered
    Just about four,
    They all had sweethearts
    knockin' at the door.
    They all got married
    And they didn't hesitate;
    I was, oh lord,
    The grandmother of eight.

    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine,
    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine.

    Now that were old,
    And ready to go,
    We get to thinkin' what
    Happened a long time ago.
    We had a lot of kids,
    Trouble and pain,
    But, oh lord, we'd do it again.

    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine,
    Oh, kisses sweeter than wine.



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    Sing Our Own Song

    The great flood of tears
    That we've cried
    For our brothers and
    Sisters who've died
    Over four hundred years
    Has washed away our
    Fears, and strengthened
    Our pride, now we turn
    Back the tide.

    We will no longer
    Hear your command
    We will seize the control
    From your hand
    We will fan the flame
    Of our anger and pain
    And you'll feel the shame
    For what you do
    In God's name.

    We will fight
    For the right to be free;
    We will build our own
    Society; And we will sing,
    We will sing; We will sing
    Our own song.

    When the ancient
    Drum rhythms ring
    The voice of our,
    Forefathers sing:
    "Forward Africa run.
    Our day of freedom has
    Some, for me and for you
    Amandla awethu".

    We will no longer
    Hear your command.
    We will seize the control
    From your hand.
    We will fan the flame
    Of our anger and pain.
    And you'll feel the shame
    For what you do
    In God's name.

    We will fight
    For the right to be free
    We will build our own
    Society; And we will sing,
    We will sing; We will sing
    Our own song.



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    Wonderful Tonight

    It's late in the evening
    She's wondering what
    clothes to wear.
    She puts on her
    make-up
    and brushes her long
    Blonde hair.
    And then she asks me,
    "Do I look all right? "
    And I say, "Yes, you look
    Wonderful tonight ".
    We go a party and
    Everyone turns to see
    This beautiful lady that's
    Walking around with me.
    And then she asks me,
    "Do you feel all right?"
    And I say, "Yes, I feel
    Wonderful tonight".

    I feel wonderful
    because I see
    The love light
    In your eyes.
    And the wonder of it all
    Is that you just don't realize
    How much I love you.

    It's time to go home now
    And I've got an
    Aching head,
    So I give her
    The car keys and
    She helps me to bed.
    And then I tell her,
    As I turn out the light,
    I say, "My darling, you
    Were wonderful tonight.
    Oh my darling, you were
    Wonderful tonight".



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    Like The Weather

    The color of the sky as far
    As I can see, is coal grey.
    Lift my head from the pillow
    And then fall again.
    With a shiver in my bones just
    Thinking about the weather.
    A quiver in my lips
    As if I might cry.

    Well by the force of will
    My lungs are filled
    And so I breathe.
    Lately it seems this big bed
    Is where I never leave.
    Shiver in my bones just
    Thinking about the weather.
    Quiver in my voice as I cry,

    "What a cold and rainy day.
    Where on earth is the sun hid away?"

    I hear the sound
    Of a noon bell chime.
    Now I'm far behind.
    You’ve put in ‘bout half a day while here I lie.
    With a shiver in my bones just
    Thinking about the weather.
    A quiver in my lip.
    As if I might cry.

    "What a cold and rainy day.
    Where on earth is the sun hid away?"

    Do I need someone here to
    Scold me, or do I need
    Someone who'll grab and pull
    Me out of this four poster dull
    Torpor pulling downward.

    For it is such a long time
    Since my better days.
    I say my prayers nightly
    This will pass away.

    The color of the sky is grey as
    Can see through the blinds.
    Lift my head from the pillow
    And then fall again
    With a shiver in my bones just
    Thinking about the weather.
    A quiver in my voice as I cry,

    "What a cold and rainy day.
    Where on earth is the sun hid away?"
    I shiver, quiver,
    And try to wake.



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    New York State of Mind Some folks like to get away,
    Take a holiday
    From the neighborhood.

    Hop a flight to Miami Beach
    Or Hollywood.
    I'm taking a Greyhound
    On the Hudson River line-
    I'm in a New York state of mind.

    I seen all the movie stars
    In their fancy cars
    And their limousines,
    Been high in the Rockies
    Under the evergreens,
    But I know what I'm
    Needing and I don't want tO
    Waste more time-
    I'm in a New York state of mind.

    It was so easy
    Living day by day
    Out of touch with the
    Rhythm and the blues,
    But now I need a little
    Give and take,
    The New York Times,
    The Daily News...

    It comes down to reality-and it's fine with me 'cause
    I've let it slide,
    Don't care if its Chinatown
    Or Riverside,
    I don't have any reasons,
    I've left them all behind-
    I'm in a New York state of mind.

    It was so easy
    Living day by day
    Out of touch with the
    Rhythm and the blues,
    But now I need a little
    Give and take,
    The New York Times,
    The Daily News...

    I'm taking a Greyhound
    on the Hudson River line-
    I'm in a New York state of mind.



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    Seasons of Love

    Five hundred
    twenty-five thousand
    Six hundred minutes,
    Five hundred
    twenty-five thousand
    Moments so dear.
    Five hundred
    Twenty-five thousand
    Six hundred minutes
    How do you measure,
    Measure a year?

    In daylights, in sunsets,
    In midnights
    In cups of coffee
    In inches, in miles,
    In laughter, in strife.
    In five hundred
    Twenty-five thousand
    Six hundred minutes
    How do you measure
    A year in the life?

    How about love?
    How about love?
    How about love?
    Measure in love
    Seasons of love.
    Seasons of love

    HOMELESS WOMAN:
    Five hundred
    twenty-five thousand
    Six hundred minutes!
    Five hundred
    twenty-five thousand
    Journeys to plan.
    Five hundred
    twenty-five thousand
    Six hundred minutes
    How do you measure
    the life of a woman or a man?

    COLLINS:
    In truths that she learned,
    Or in times that he cried.
    In bridges he burned,
    Or the way that she died.

    ALL:
    It's time now to sing out,
    Tho' the story never ends
    Let's celebrate
    Remember a year
    in the life of friends
    Remember the love!
    Remember the love!
    Seasons of love!

    HOMELESS WOMAN (while ALL sing):
    Oh you got to got to
    Remember the love!
    You know that love
    Is a gift from up above
    Share love, give love
    Spread love
    Measure measure
    Your life in love.



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    2000 Miles

    He's gone 2000 miles
    It's very far
    The snow is falling down
    Gets colder day by day
    I miss you.

    The children will sing
    He'll be back at
    Christmastime.

    In these frozen
    And silent nights
    Sometimes in a dream
    You appear
    Outside under the purple sky
    Diamonds in the snow sparkle
    Our hearts we're singing,
    It felt like Christmastime.

    2000 miles
    Is very far
    Through the snow
    I'll think of you
    Wherever you go.

    He's gone 2000 miles
    It's very far
    The snow is falling down
    Gets colder day by day
    I miss you.

    I can hear people singing,
    It must be Christmastime.
    I hear people singing,
    It must be Christmastime.







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