Learn English with Songs: "Wake Me Up When September Ends" - Green Day
“Wake Me Up When September Ends" – Green Day
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends
Like my father's come to pass
Seven years has gone so fast
Wake me up when September ends
Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are
As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up when September ends
Ring out the bells again
Like we did when spring began
Wake me up when September ends
Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are
As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends
ex. 1Look the vocabulary and make your own sentences with it:
innocent - невинный
to last – продолжаться, длиться
to pass – проходить, кончаться, умирать (особенно – to pass away)
to come to pass – случаться, происходить (здесь – father has come to pass – так случилось, что отец ушел из жизни)
Here comes (come – if plural) – а вот и…
to be drenched in smth (e.g. sweat, blood) – истекать (например, потом, кровью), быть промокшим
memory - память
to rest – отдыхать, покоиться
to lose (lost, lost) – терять
ex. 2Complete the sentences:
__________ Mrs. Barret. She is such a nice person to have around!
After the accident he lost his __________, but right now at least he remembers the names of his immediate family.
The man was put behind the bars even though he was __________.
Whatever you do now, sooner or later it will __________.
I can’t believe you __________ our dog in the park! How are we supposed to find it now?
Last year my grandfather __________, it was very sad because I knew him very well and he was a fine man.
“Where is Mother?” – “She is __________.”
The happiest moments in life never __________ long! What a disappointment!
I love summer! I can’t wait till winter __________.
ex. 3Find words that rhyme with these (from the text and your own):
again
passed
ends
lost
ex. 4Lookthrough the dictionary and find synonyms to these words:
fast
to last
to pass away
to end
to begin
ex. 5Finish the sentences, use your imagination:
Even though it is proved that he is innocent, I still…
The situation came to bad pass, I think we should…
To have a good night rest, you must…
If you lost your car keys,...
Look, here comes my friend! He will…
If you want to improve your memory, try to…
Work out till you’re drenched in sweat, then you will…
To make your phone battery last longer, always…
ex. 6Answer the questions:
What do you know about this song? When and why was it written? Who is the author of lyrics and music?
Have you watched the video for this song? What is the story about? What is the message of the video? Is the story connected to Billy Joe’s past? Or is it about something else?
What does it mean “The innocent can never last”?
Why “seven years”?
Why is the song called “Wake me up when September Ends?”
Why does Billy Joe use “summer” and not any other seasons? What does it symbolize?
What does the line “Ring out the bells again” mean?