Old Major(The name of a character, likely an elderly animal, in the story [oʊld ˈmeɪʤər]) cleared his throat(an action to remove any obstruction or irritation in the throat, often done before speaking or singing [klɪrd hɪz θroʊt]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) began(started [bɪˈgæn]) to sing(to produce musical sounds with the voice [tɪ sɪŋ]). As(because; since [ɛz]) he had said(referring to something he mentioned previously [hi hæd sɛd]), his voice(the sound produced by his vocal cords [hɪz vɔɪs]) was hoarse(rough and unclear, typically due to a sore throat or overuse [wɑz hɔrs]), but(a conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]) he sang(he produced musical sounds with his voice [hi sæŋ]) well enough(sufficiently well; adequately [wɛl ɪˈnəf]), and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) it(refers to the song [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'is' [wɑz]) a stirring tune(an exciting and emotional melody [ə stərɪŋ tun]), something between(resembling qualities of both [ˈsəmθɪŋ bɪtˈwin]) Clementine(a reference to a folk song [ˈklɛmənˌtin]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) La Cucaracha(a reference to a traditional Spanish folk song [lɑ cucaracha]). The words(the lyrics of the song [ðə wərdz]) ran(were as follows [ræn]):
Beasts of England(Animals of England; the intended audience of the song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]), beasts of Ireland(Animals of Ireland; part of the intended audience of the song [bists əv ˈaɪərlənd]), Beasts of every land(Animals from all countries [bists əv ˈɛvəri lænd]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) clime(region; area (often referring to climate [clime]), Hearken(listen [hearken]) to(preposition indicating direction [tɪ]) my(belonging to me [maɪ]) joyful tidings(happy news [ˈʤɔɪfəl ˈtaɪdɪŋz]) Of(preposition indicating relationship [əv]) the golden future time(a future period of prosperity and happiness [ðə ˈgoʊldən fˈjuʧər taɪm]).
Soon or late(eventually; at some point in the future [sun ər leɪt]) the day is coming(a specific time will arrive [ðə deɪ ɪz ˈkəmɪŋ]), Tyrant Man(oppressive human beings [ˈtaɪrənt mæn]) shall be o’erthrown(will be defeated and removed from power (archaic spelling of overthrown [ʃæl bi oerthrown]), And(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) the fruitful fields(productive agricultural land [ðə ˈfrutfəl fildz]) of England(located in England [əv ˈɪŋglənd]) Shall be trod(will be walked upon [ʃæl bi trɑd]) by beasts(by animals [baɪ bists]) alone(only [əˈloʊn]).
Rings(metal hoops [rɪŋz]) shall vanish(will disappear [ʃæl ˈvænɪʃ]) from our noses(from the snouts of the animals, where rings might be placed to control them [frəm ɑr ˈnoʊzɪz]), And(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) the harness(the straps and fittings used to control animals [ðə ˈhɑrnɪs]) from our back(from the backs of the animals, where harnesses are placed [frəm ɑr bæk]), Bit(part of a bridle, placed in the mouth of an animal to control it [bɪt]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) spur(a device worn on a rider's heel and used to urge a horse forward [spər]) shall rust(will corrode and decay due to oxidation [ʃæl rəst]) forever(for all time; eternally [fərˈɛvər]), Cruel whips(painful striking tools [kruəl wɪps]) no more(not anymore [noʊ mɔr]) shall crack(will make a sharp snapping sound, as when used to strike something [ʃæl kræk]).
Riches(wealth; valuable possessions [ˈrɪʧɪz]) more than(exceeding; greater than [mɔr ðən]) mind can picture(the imagination can conceive; beyond comprehension [maɪnd kən ˈpɪkʧər]), Wheat(a type of grain used for making bread [wit]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) barley(another type of grain, often used for making beer or animal feed [ˈbɑrli]), oats(a type of grain often used for porridge or animal feed [oʊts]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) hay(dried grass used as animal fodder [heɪ]), Clover(a type of plant, often used as animal feed or to improve soil [ˈkloʊvər]), beans(seeds of various plants, used as food [binz]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) mangel-wurzels(a type of beet, used as animal feed [mangel-wurzels]) Shall be(will be; indicates a future event [ʃæl bi]) ours(belonging to us [ɑrz]) upon that day(on that specific day; referring to a future time [əˈpɑn ðət deɪ]).
Bright(radiant; full of light [braɪt]) will shine(will emit light; will be radiant [wɪl ʃaɪn]) the fields(areas of open land, especially used for pasture or agriculture [ðə fildz]) of England(belonging to or associated with England [əv ˈɪŋglənd]), Purer(more clean; less contaminated [ˈpjʊrər]) shall(will; indicates a future event [ʃæl]) its(belonging to it; referring to England [ɪts]) waters(bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes [ˈwɔtərz]) be(to exist; to occur [bi]), Sweeter(more pleasant; more agreeable [sˈwitər]) yet(still; even more [jɛt]) shall(will; indicates a future event [ʃæl]) blow(to move air; to be carried by the wind [bloʊ]) its(belonging to it; referring to England [ɪts]) breezes(gentle winds [ˈbrizɪz]) On the day(at the time [ɔn ðə deɪ]) that sets us free(that liberates us; that releases us from captivity [ðət sɛts ˈjuˈɛs fri]).
For that day(because of that day; in anticipation of that day [fər ðət deɪ]) we all(every one of us [wi ɔl]) must labour(must work hard; must exert effort [məst ˈleɪbər]), Though(although; even if [ðoʊ]) we die(we cease to live [wi daɪ]) before(earlier than; prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]) it break(it dawns; it arrives (referring to the anticipated day [ɪt breɪk]); Cows(female cattle [kaʊz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) horses(domesticated animals used for riding or work [ˈhɔrsɪz]), geese(plural of goose; large waterbirds [gis]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) turkeys(large birds, often raised for food [ˈtərkiz]), All(everything; everyone [ɔl]) must toil(must work hard; must exert effort [məst tɔɪl]) for freedom’s sake(for the purpose of achieving freedom; for the benefit of freedom [fər ˈfridəmz seɪk]).
Beasts of England(animals of England [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]), beasts of Ireland(animals of Ireland [bists əv ˈaɪərlənd]), Beasts of every land(animals of every country [bists əv ˈɛvəri lænd]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) clime(region; area with a particular climate [clime]), Hearken well(listen carefully; pay close attention [hearken wɛl]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) spread(to disseminate; to distribute [sprɛd]) my tidings(my news; my message [maɪ ˈtaɪdɪŋz]) Of the golden future time(concerning the wonderful time to come; about the prosperous future [əv ðə ˈgoʊldən fˈjuʧər taɪm]).
The singing(The act of producing musical sounds with the voice [ðə ˈsɪŋɪŋ]) of this song(referring to a particular song that is being discussed [əv ðɪs sɔŋ]) threw(past tense of 'throw', here meaning to cause or put into a state [θru]) the animals(referring to a group of non-human creatures [ðə ˈænəməlz]) into(expressing movement or direction toward something [ˈɪntu]) the wildest excitement(the most extreme state of enthusiasm, agitation, or eagerness [ðə ˈwaɪldɪst ɪkˈsaɪtmənt]). Almost(nearly; not quite [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]) before(earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]) Major(referring to a character named Major [ˈmeɪʤər]) had reached(past perfect tense of 'reach', meaning to arrive at or get to [hæd riʧt]) the end(the final part or conclusion [ðə ɛnd]), they(referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) had begun(past perfect tense of 'begin', meaning to start or commence [hæd ˈbeɪgən]) singing(the act of producing musical sounds with the voice [ˈsɪŋɪŋ]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]) for themselves(on their own; without assistance [fər ðɛmˈsɛlvz]). Even(used to emphasize something surprising or unexpected [ˈivɪn]) the stupidest(the least intelligent [ðə ˈstupɪdəst]) of them(referring to the animals [əv ðɛm]) had already(before this time; previously [hæd ɔˈrɛdi]) picked up(learned or acquired something, often casually [pɪkt əp]) the tune(the melody of a song [ðə tun]) and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) a few(some; a small number of [ə fju]) of the words(referring to the lyrics of the song [əv ðə wərdz]), and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) as for(with regard to; concerning [ɛz fər]) the clever ones(the intelligent animals [ðə ˈklɛvər wənz]), such as(for example [səʧ ɛz]) the pigs and dogs(specific types of animals [ðə pɪgz ənd dɔgz]), they(referring to the pigs and dogs [ðeɪ]) had(past tense auxiliary verb [hæd]) the entire song(the whole song; every part of the song [ðə ɪnˈtaɪər sɔŋ]) by heart(memorized; learned perfectly [baɪ hɑrt]) within(inside of; during [wɪˈθɪn]) a few minutes(a short period of time [ə fju ˈmɪnəts]). And then(following that; next [ənd ðɛn]), after(following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]) a few preliminary tries(some initial attempts or rehearsals [ə fju prɪˈlɪməˌnɛri traɪz]), the whole farm(all of the animals and area of the farm [ðə hoʊl fɑrm]) burst out(suddenly began to do something, often loudly [bərst aʊt]) into(expressing movement or direction toward something [ˈɪntu]) 'Beasts of England(the title of the song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd])' in(expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) tremendous unison(great harmony and agreement [trɪˈmɛndəs ˈjunɪsən]). The cows(a type of farm animal [ðə kaʊz]) lowed(made a characteristic mooing sound [lowed]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]), the dogs(a type of domesticated animal [ðə dɔgz]) whined(made a high-pitched, mournful cry [whined]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]), the sheep(a type of farm animal [ðə ʃip]) bleated(made a characteristic cry [bleated]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]), the horses(a type of farm animal [ðə ˈhɔrsɪz]) whinnied(made a soft, high-pitched neigh [whinnied]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]), the ducks(a type of waterfowl [ðə dəks]) quacked(made a characteristic sound [quacked]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]). They(referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) were(past tense of 'be' [wər]) so delighted(very pleased or happy [soʊ dɪˈlaɪtɪd]) with(expressing the relationship between things [wɪθ]) the song(referring to the song [ðə sɔŋ]) that(introducing a clause of result [ðət]) they(referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) sang(past tense of 'sing' [sæŋ]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]) right through(from beginning to end [raɪt θru]) five times(on five occasions [faɪv taɪmz]) in succession(one after another; consecutively [ɪn səkˈsɛʃən]), and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) might have(used to express possibility in the past [maɪt hæv]) continued(kept on doing something [kənˈtɪnjud]) singing(the act of producing musical sounds with the voice [ˈsɪŋɪŋ]) it(referring to the song [ɪt]) all night(the entire night [ɔl naɪt]) if(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) they(referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) had not been(past perfect passive form of 'be' [hæd nɑt bɪn]) interrupted(stopped or broken off by someone or something [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]).
Unfortunately(it is used to say that something is sad, disappointing, or has a bad effect [ənˈfɔrʧənətli]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)the uproar(a loud and confused noise, especially when people are angry or protesting [ðə ˈəˌprɔr]) awoke(past tense of 'awake', meaning to stop sleeping; to wake up [əˈwoʊk]) Mr. Jones(a proper noun, referring to a specific person named Mr. Jones [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)who(relative pronoun, referring back to Mr. Jones [hu]) sprang(past tense of 'spring', meaning to jump or move quickly and suddenly [spræŋ]) out of bed(exiting the bed quickly [aʊt əv bɛd]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)making sure(taking action to confirm or verify something [ˈmeɪkɪŋ ʃʊr]) that(conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) there was(indicating the existence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) a fox(a wild animal of the dog family with a pointed face and bushy tail [ə fɑks]) in the yard(located in the enclosed area around a house or building [ɪn ðə jɑrd]). He seized(took hold of something suddenly and forcibly [sizd]) the gun(a firearm; a weapon that shoots bullets [ðə gən]) which(relative pronoun, referring back to 'the gun' [wɪʧ]) always(at all times; on every occasion [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) stood(past tense of 'stand', meaning to be in an upright position [stʊd]) in a corner(located in the place where two lines or surfaces meet to form an angle [ɪn ə ˈkɔrnər]) of his bedroom(belonging to Mr. Jones's sleeping room [əv hɪz ˈbɛˌdrum]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)and(conjunction, connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]) let fly(to release or discharge something quickly [lɛt flaɪ]) a charge(the amount of explosive to set off a gun [ə ʧɑrʤ]) of number 6 shot(a specific size of small, round pellets used in shotgun shells [əv ˈnəmbər 6 ʃɑt]) into the darkness(directed towards the absence of light [ˈɪntu ðə ˈdɑrknəs]). The pellets buried(past tense of 'bury', meaning to cover or hide something in the ground or another substance [ˈbɛrid]) themselves(reflexive pronoun, referring back to 'the pellets' [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]) in the wall(inside the structure that encloses or divides a space [ɪn ðə wɔl]) of the barn(belonging to the building used for storing crops or housing animals [əv ðə bɑrn]) and(conjunction, connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]) the meeting(an assembly of people for a particular purpose [ðə ˈmitɪŋ]) broke up(ended or dispersed [broʊk əp]) hurriedly(in a hurried or rushed manner [ˈhəridli]). Everyone fled(past tense of 'flee', meaning to run away from danger or something unpleasant [flɛd]) to his own(to each person's own [tɪ hɪz oʊn]) sleeping-place(the place where someone sleeps [sleeping-place]). The birds jumped(past tense of 'jump', meaning to push oneself off the ground with the legs [ʤəmpt]) on to(onto; upon [ɔn tɪ]) their perches(the places where birds rest or sit [ðɛr ˈpərʧɪz]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)the animals(living creatures that are not plants or humans [ðə ˈænəməlz]) settled down(became calm and quiet [ˈsɛtəld daʊn]) in the straw(in the dry stalks of grain used as bedding for animals [ɪn ðə strɔ]), (punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)and(conjunction, connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]) the whole farm(the entire agricultural establishment [ðə hoʊl fɑrm]) was asleep(in a state of sleep [wɑz əsˈlip]) in a moment(very quickly; almost instantly [ɪn ə ˈmoʊmənt]).