Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 6

Old Major cleared his throat and began to sing.

• 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 he had said, his voice was hoarse, but he sang well enough, and it was a stirring tune, something between Clementine and La Cucaracha.

• 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]

Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken to my joyful tidings Of the golden future time.

• 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 the day is coming, Tyrant Man shall be o’erthrown, And the fruitful fields of England Shall be trod by beasts alone.

• 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 shall vanish from our noses, And the harness from our back, Bit and spur shall rust forever, Cruel whips no more shall crack.

• 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 more than mind can picture, Wheat and barley, oats and hay, Clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels Shall be ours upon that day.

• 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 will shine the fields of England, Purer shall its waters be, Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes On the day that sets us free.

• 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 we all must labour, Though we die before it break; Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, All must toil for freedom’s sake.

• 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, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken well and spread my tidings Of the golden future time.

• 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 of this song threw the animals into the wildest excitement.

• 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 before Major had reached the end, they had begun singing it for themselves.

• 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 the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and a few of the words, and as for the clever ones, such as the pigs and dogs, they had the entire song by heart within a few minutes.

• 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, after a few preliminary tries, the whole farm burst out into 'Beasts of England' in tremendous unison.

• 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 lowed it, the dogs whined it, the sheep bleated it, the horses whinnied it, the ducks quacked it.

• 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 were so delighted with the song that they sang it right through five times in succession, and might have continued singing it all night if they had not been interrupted.

• 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, the uproar awoke Mr. Jones, who sprang out of bed, making sure that there was a fox in the yard. He seized the gun which always stood in a corner of his bedroom, and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. The pellets buried themselves in the wall of the barn and the meeting broke up hurriedly. Everyone fled to his own sleeping-place. The birds jumped on to their perches, the animals settled down in the straw, and the whole farm was asleep in a moment.

• Unfortunately: it is used to say that something is sad, disappointing, or has a bad effect [ənˈfɔrʧənətli]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]
• 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]