Shadowing Practice: Lukas Graham - 7 Years - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
Once I
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36 sentences
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Once I
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was seven years old My mama told me go Make yourself some friends
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or you'll be lonely Once I was seven years old It was a big,
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big world, but we thought we were bigger Pushing each other to the limits,
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we were learning quicker By eleven,
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smoking herb and drinking burning liquor Never rich,
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so we were out to make that steady bigger Once I was eleven years old,
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my daddy told me Go get yourself a wife or you'd be lonely Once I was eleven years old
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I always had that dream like my daddy before me So I started writing songs,
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I started writing stories Something about
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that glory just always seemed to bore me Cause only those
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I really love will never really know me Once I was twenty years old,
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my story got told Before the morning sun when life was lonely Once I was twenty years old
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I only see my goals,
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I don't believe in failure Cause I know the smallest voices,
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they can make it major I got my boys with me,
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at least those in favor And if we don't meet before I leave,
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I hope I'll see you later
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So once I was twenty years old My story got told
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I was writing about everything I saw before me Once I was twenty years old
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Soon we'll be thirty years old Our songs have been sold We've traveled around the world
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And we're still roaming Soon we'll be thirty years old I'm still learning about life,
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my woman brought children for me So I can sing them all my songs
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and I can tell them stories Most of my boys are with me,
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some are still out seeking glory And some I had to leave behind my brother I'm still savvy,
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soon I'll be 60 years old My daddy got 61,
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remember life and then your life becomes a better one
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I made a man so happy
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when I wrote a letter once I hope my children come
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and visit once or twice a month Soon I'll be sixty years old Will I think the world is cold?
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Or will I have a line of children who can go me?
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Soon I'll be sixty years old Soon I'll be sixty years old Will I think the world is cold?
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Well I have a lot of children who can hold me Soon I'll be sixty years old
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Once I was seven years old
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Mama told me go Make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely Once I was seven years old
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Once I was seven years old

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice your English speaking skills through a detailed analysis of the song "7 Years" by Lukas Graham. The lyrics capture the essence of growing up, reflecting on life’s milestones while exploring themes of friendship, dreams, and personal growth. By shadowing the lyrics, you will improve your pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm, making your English sound more natural. This exercise will not only enhance your listening abilities but also help you articulate your thoughts and emotions more clearly.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • lonely - feeling sad because one has no friends or company.
  • steady - stable or consistent.
  • glory - great beauty or splendor, often related to success.
  • failure - lack of success in achieving something.
  • children - young human beings below the age of adulthood.
  • visit - to go see someone for a short time.
  • seeking glory - looking for fame or success.
  • write a letter - to create a written form of communication.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning experience while shadowing this song, consider the following practice tips:

  • Listen Actively: Start by listening to the song a few times without trying to sing along. Focus on the nuances of the singer's voice and the emotional delivery behind the words.
  • Break it Down: Split the song into smaller sections. Try repeating each line after you hear it, ensuring you mimic the intonation and emotion. This is a great way to practice shadowspeaking.
  • Record Yourself: Record your attempts at shadow speech. This allows you to compare your pronunciation and intonation with that of the original song, helping you identify areas for improvement.
  • Pay Attention to Speed: The rhythm of this song is moderate, making it perfect for beginners to practice shadowing. Start slowly, then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
  • Engage with the Lyrics: Reflect on what the lyrics mean to you personally. This emotional connection will make your shadow speech more powerful and authentic, ensuring that your pronunciation and expressiveness improve markedly.

By incorporating these techniques into your practice on this shadowing site, you will not only enhance your English speaking skills but also develop a deeper understanding of the themes presented in the song. Happy learning!

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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