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Culture Documents
Folklore Taylor Swift
Folklore Taylor Swift
Folklore Taylor Swift
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.”
1
cardigan
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
Vintage (Adj) produced in the past, and typical of the period, in which it
was made.
Sequin (Adj/N) a small, shiny metal or plastic disc sewn onto clothes for
decoration.
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.
Linger (V) = Hang around (phV) to take a long time to leave or disappear.
Expire (V) if sth that lasts for a fixed length of time expires, it comes
to an end or stops being in use.
4
exile - feat Bon Iver
5
So many signs, so many signs
You didn't even see the signs
Exile (N) the condition of sb being sent or kept away from their
own country, village,...especially for political
reasons.
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.
There is no amount of ….
7
the 1
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
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.
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.
Leave well enough alone: to allow sth to stay as it is because doing more
might make things worse.
Pain by numbers: - sth that is very easy to do and does not need skill.
- to work in the old fashioned way.
Temptation (N) the wish to do or have sth that you know you should not do
or have.
10
august
11
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose
No
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Pick sth out = pick out sth (phV) if you pick out a tune, you play it slowly or
with difficulty, note by note.
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.
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Blow through the money on sth (phV) spend a lot of money on sth.
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.
my tears ricochet
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Cross sth out (phV) to draw a line through sth you have written, usually
because it is wrong.
mirrorball
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.
20
Shimmer (v) to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly
and quickly.
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.
Masquerade (n) behaviour that is intended to prevent the truth about sth
unpleasant or not wanted from becoming known.
Shatter (v) to (cause sth to) break suddenly into very small pieces.
Call off sth = call sth off (phV) to decide that a planned event will not
happen.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Curve (n) a line that bends continuously and has no straight parts.
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
28
Getting lunch down by the Lakes
She said I looked like an American singer
29
String (n) a strong, thin rope made by twisting very thin threads together,
used for fastening and tying things.
Yogurt (n) a slightly sour, thick liquid made from with milk bacteria added
to it, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes
with sugar, fruit,…
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.
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.
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.
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.
31
illicit affairs
32
But they lie, and they lie, and they lie
A billion little times
33
Mercurial (v) changing suddenly and often.
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
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.
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.
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.
36
Spin (n) the movement of sth turning round very quickly.
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
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.
Med = medical.
Plastic (n) an artificial substance that can be shaped when soft into many
different forms and has many different uses.
Crash out (phV) to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired.
Betty
38
When I passed your house
It's like I couldn't breathe
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
40
Assumption (n) sth that you accept as true without question or proof.
Switch (v) to use a switch to change a device from one state or type of
operation to another.
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.
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.
Plan sth out (phV) to think about and decide what you are going to do or
how you are going to do sth.
Make it up to sb: to do sth good for sb you have upset, in order to become
friends with them again.
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
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?
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.
Corner (n) the point, area, or line that is performed by the meeting of two
lines, surfaces, roads, …
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.
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.
In the trenches: working in the most active and difficult parts of a job or
business.
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
45
Your sleight of hand
My barren land
I am ash from your fire
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.
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.
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)
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.
Your beloved (n) sb that you love and who you have a romantic
relationship with.
Muse (n) a person, or an imaginary being or force that gives sb ideas and
helps them to write, paint, or make music.
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.
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.
49
Grief (n) very great sadness, especially at the death of someone.
50