5-minute listening: Practise your English with Elton John and Ed Sheeran’s ‘Merry Christmas’

Intro
Build the fire and gather ’round the tree
Fill the glass and maybe come and sing with me

Chorus
So kiss me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let’s toast and pray for December snow
I know there’s been pain this year, but it’s time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We’ll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We’ve both known love, but this love we got is the bеst of all
I wish you could see you through my eyes, then you would know
My God, you look beautiful
Right now, Merry Christmas

Verse 1
The fire is raging on
And we’ll all sing along to the song
Just having so much fun
While we’re here, can we all spare a thought for the ones who have gone?
Merry Christmas, everyone

Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah

Chorus
So just keep kissing me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let’s toast and pray for December snow
I know there’s been pain this year, but it’s time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We’ll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We’ve both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see you through my eyes, then you would know
My God, you look beautiful
Right now, Merry Christmas

Verse 2
I feel it when it comes
Every year helping us carry on
Filled up with so much love
All our family and friends
Are together where we all belong
Merry Christmas, everyone

Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah

Outro
It’s Christmas time for you and I
We’ll have a good night and a Merry Christmas
It’s Christmas time for you and I
We’ll have a good night and a Merry Christmas
It’s Christmas time for you and I
We’ll have a good night and a Merry Christmas
It’s Christmas time for you and I
We’ll have a good night and a Merry Christmas time

Play a Kahoot! game about this story as a class or with your friends by clicking on the link here.

Or play on your own below to test your understanding:

1. What does the singer pray for in December?
A. peace and joy for his loved ones
B. a kiss from his crush
C. happiness for everyone
D. snow during the season

2. How does the singer feel about kissing under the mistletoe?
A. He finds it rather embarrassing.
B. He enjoys it and wants it to continue.
C. He is not too pleased about it.
D. He has no opinion about it.

3. What does “let’s toast” in the chorus most likely mean?
A. to make breakfast
B. to warm up part of your body
C. to drink in honour of something
D. to build a campfire

4. What does the singer say to do about the pain and hurt we’ve experienced this year?
A. to let go of it
B. to bear with it
C. to remember it
D. to learn to cope with it

5. What does it mean if you tell someone “I wish you could see you through my eyes”.
A. You think they are aware of your feelings towards them.
B. You wish you knew what they were thinking.
C. You do not understand why they behave the way they do.
D. You would like them to know what you think of them.

6. What does the singer suggest the viewer do in verse one?
A. help him build a fire
B. gather around a Christmas tree
C. sing along with him
D. fill a glass with wine

7. Which of the following best describes a fire that is “raging on”?
A. It is very hot and fierce.
B. It has nearly finished burning.
C. It is still burning but likely to die down soon.
D. It is unlikely to destroy life or property.

8. Who might the “ones who have gone” in verse one refer to?
A. those who are not singing along to the song
B. others who do not celebrate Christmas
C. people who have passed away
D. none of the above

9. What does “it” in the lyrics “I feel it when it comes” likely refer to?
A. December
B. Christmas
C. embers
D. mistletoe

10. Which of the following best describes the tone of this song?
A. lively
B. candid
C. sombre
D. amused

1. D
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. A