Wildflowers

Level: TBD

Aims: Vocabulary, reading comprehension, reading in context

Grammar:

Time: 50-65 mins

Materials: audio player, photocopies of the text of the song

Here is an MP3 attachment of the song:

Here is an attachment of the Text of the Song:

Introduction: Wildflowers is a classic rock-n-roll song by Tom Petty. The vocabulary and grammar is simple, but will require the students to read in context to determine the meaning of some idiomatic phrases. The song is very pretty and catchy, and should prove interesting for most students.

The students will be given photocopies of the Text of the Song. Play the song once. Using the Text of the Song with Notes, go through the text, encouraging students to read in context to determine the meaning of idiomatic phrases. Follow this with the Discussion Questions.

Text of the Song

Wildflowers

(Tom Petty)

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

Sail away, kill off the hours;

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Run away, find you a lover;

Go away somewhere all bright and new.

I have seen no other

Who compares with you.

You belong among the wildflowers,

You belong in a boat out at sea.

You belong with your love on your arm;

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Run away, go find a lover;

Run away, let your heart be your guide.

You deserve deepest of cover

You belong in that home by and by.

You belong among the wildflowers,

You belong somewhere close to me.

Far away from your trouble and worry;

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Text of the Song with Notes

Wildflowers

(Tom Petty)

You belong among the wildflowers

• (among = with, in the middle of)
• Discuss with the class: Most flowers in America were brought from Europe. We simply call these “flowers.” But if a flower is an American flower, it is often called a “wildflower.”
• Ask the class: “What does this mean?” The singer thinks a woman is as pretty as flowers.

You belong in a boat out at sea

Sail away, kill off the hours;

• Discuss with the class: “Killing time,” “Killing off the hours.”

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Run away, find you a lover;

• (a lover = a boyfriend or girlfriend)

Go away somewhere all bright and new.

I have seen no other

Who compares with you.

• (vocabulary: to compare with)
• Ask the class, “What does he mean when he says “I have seen no other who compares with you?” It seems the singer thinks she is the prettiest or most amazing woman he’s ever known.

You belong among the wildflowers,

You belong in a boat out at sea.

You belong with your love on your arm;

• Ask the class: “What is ‘your love’?” It’s somebody you love: your sister, your boyfriend; they’re “your love”; eg, “My sister is my love” = “I love my sister very much, I care very much about my sister.”
• Ask the class: “What does it mean, ‘your love on your arm’?” Holding the arm of somebody as you walk; a boy holding his girlfriend as they walk.

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Run away, go find a lover;

Run away, let your heart be your guide.

• (vocabulary: a guide)

You deserve deepest of cover

You belong in that home by and by.

• (idiomatic phrase: “by and by” = after some time)

You belong among the wildflowers,

You belong somewhere close to me.

Far away from your trouble and worry;

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

You belong somewhere you’ll feel free.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some places where you can feel free? From the song: in a boat out as sea, among the flowers. Other examples: in the mountains, while you’re with your friends, etc.