Learn English Through Song
Desperado - By The Eagles
1Symbolism symbol (n) a thing that represents something else [in literature, a
material object may stand for something abstract], an exact metaphor
2 Desperado, why don't you come to your senses? You've been out ridin' fences for so
long now.
"desperado" (Spanish) a reckless criminal, but here a "desparate" man (in despair,
hopeless)
"riding fences" (n) protecting feelings like a cowboy fixing fences to protect his land
3 Oh, you're a hard one. I know that you got your reasons. These things that are
pleasin' you can hurt you somehow. "hard one" (adj) a tough person who doesn’t show
feelings of affection)
4 Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy. She'll beat you if she's able. You know
the queen of hearts is always your best bet. "queen of diamonds" (n) card symbol for
wealth and power "queen of hearts" (n) love
5 Now it seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table. But you only
want the ones that you can't get. "things laid upon your table" opportunities in a person's
life (i.e. table)
6 Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger. Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin'
you home. "home" (n) symbol of security and love with family (e.g. spouse and
children)
7 And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'. Your prison is walking
through this world all alone. "prison" (n) "prison of self", alone with only your selfish
desires
8 Don't your feet get cold in the winter time? The sky won't snow and the sun won't
shine.
It's hard to tell the night time from the day. "feet get cold" (n) a need for the warmth of
love ("cold feet" = fear prior an undertaking)
9 You're loosin' all your highs and lows. Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away? "high
and lows" (n) natural feelings of life (e.g. joy and pain), as in a card game
10 Desperado, why don't you come to your senses? Come down from your fences.
Open the gate. "come to your senses" = be realistic, reasonable, "Open the gate"(of
your heart)
11 It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you. You better let somebody love you,
you better let somebody love you, before it's too late. ***** rain = (n) a symbol of
sadness, difficulties rainbow (n) = symbol of hope, promise of life
EXERCISES
1 "symbol" __
A protecting feelings
2 "desperado" __
B natural feelings of life
3 "feet get cold" __
C need for love
4 "riding fences" __
D your selfish nature
5 "hard one" __
E wealth and power
6 "queen of diamonds" __
F hope
7 "queen of hearts" __ G opportunities in life
8 "things on your table" __ H love
9 "prison" __
I seen representing the unseen
10 "high and lows" __
J be realistic
11 "come to your senses" __ K hopeless man
12 "rainbow" __ L one not showing affection
Answer each question in a sentence:
1 What is a desperado?
2 What is the character desperado like?
3 What is the symbolism of the "queen of hearts" and the "queen of diamonds"?
4 What's driving desperado towards "home"?
5 What's the real meaning of "prison"?
6 What does "come to your senses" mean?
7 In the song, "raining" is symbolic of what?
8 How do you feel when you see a "rainbow"?
9 What may happen to Desperado?
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