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Rupert Chan

Three exquisite love songs will this week help us learn some new English.

  The first is from Vagabond King, by Rudolf Friml and Brian Hooker.

  The duet Only a Rose is sung by vagabond Francois Villon and Lady Katherine.

  Learn the use of 'only' to give a sense of exclusive and unique feelings for one's love:   'Red rose out of the East, tell my love I love least: Who knows?   'Red rose out of the West, tell my love I love best: Love is a rose.

  (See how partial or biased she is to her lover.)  'Only a rose I give you, Only a song dying away.

  'Only a smile to keep in memory, Until we meet another day. (Learn this expression, similar to 'some day' or 'some other day' - a day in the future).

  'Only a rose to whisper, blushing as roses do.

  'I'll bring along a smile or a song for anyone. Only a rose for you!'   This musical was written in 1925, so the lyrics are a bit old- fashioned.

  Next, a 1953 musical, Kismet, which means fate.

  It was by Robert Wright and George Forrest.

  Music was borrowed from the most melodious works of Russian composer Borodin.

 This song, Stranger in Paradise, has a tune taken from Borodin's Polovtsian Dances and has become a popular hit.

  'Take my hand, I'm a stranger in Paradise.

  'All lost in a wonderland, a stranger in Paradise.

  'If I stand starry-eyed (having fallen in love),  'That's a danger in Paradise for mortals (human beings) who stand beside an angel like you.

  'I saw your face and I ascended out of the commonplace to the rare, (elevated from the common mortal to the rare level of angels).

  'Somewhere in space I hang suspended, until I know there's a chance that you care (you love me too).

  'But open your angel's arms to the stranger in Paradise and tell him that he need be a stranger no more.' (Learn that last expression, 'need be', as infinitive).

  Finally, a newer song - All I Ask of You, from The Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

 This is a duet between Christine and Raoul.

  'No more talk of darkness. Forget those wide-eyed fears.

  'I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you.

  'Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears.

  'I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you.'   Christine answers: 'Say you love me every waking moment (learn this expression - useful in love verses).

  'Turn my head with talk summertime. Anywhere you go let me go too. Love me, that's all I ask of you.'  Mr. Chan is director of  External Relations at the  University of Hong Kong 



Blushing red roses part of language of love