The following song was written by the American songwriter, Lyle Lovett. (pictured left) It is in the country music style, and has many examples of non-standard English. Non-standard English can contain slang or grammar that you would not find in formal or standard English. The use of ain’t ( = is not), and the use of them ( = those) in the first line of the chorus, and in the first line of verse 3 are examples of non-standard English.

Now listen to the song (you may need to listen several times), and try and fill in the missing words. The numbers in brackets (5) tell you how many letters there are in  the missing word.

Example:

Sentence: I hope you _____ (5) the song.
Missing word:  enjoy (‘enjoy’ has 5 letters)

Try it! Send me your answers in email, or in a voice file if you can.

CLOSING TIME - Lyle Lovett

1)

The night - she’s a true ___________ (9)
They shuffle in; they hear the _____ (5)
But by night’s end it’s pure abandon
You look ______ (6) the floor
There ain’t anyone alone

CHORUS

Closing time - unplug them people
Send them home - it’s closing time

2)

Ken - he’s been mixing sound all evening
Sometimes I _____ (5) that boy - he ain’t got no ears
And Cathy’s laughing the way Cathy’s always laughing
____ (4) on laughing Cathy; just make it out of here

CHORUS

3)

So put them ______ (6) upon them tables
_____ (5) those empties upon the bar
And count your money; oh count my money
You hear them _______ (7) ringing - you know where you are

CHORUS

The night’s all that’s left behind
You take your part and I’ll take mine
Let’s go on home
It’s closing time.
 

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What do you think this song is about?

Listening Classes: send me a voice file (Real Audio or Pure Voice) telling me what you think.
Reading Classes: write a paragraph of at least 5 lines saying what you think.