ESLSongs

Practice the uses of the verb “to get” with this song, Getting Older by Alan Smith Robertson.

These song lyrics include 20 examples of the verb to get in different tenses:

• get up
• have got to (have to)
• get to (arrive at)
• get there (arrive there)
• get desperate (become desperate)
• get nervous (become nervous)
• get in trouble with police (have problems with police)
• get older (to age)
• get a job (find a job)
• get married (to wed)
• get new digs (buy new digs)
• get on well with (have a good relationship with)
• get through to someone (communicate with someone)
• get fat (put on weight)
• get a car (buy a car)
• get weak (become weak)
• get tired (become tired)
• get a visit from someone (receive a visit from someone)
• get shorter (become shorter)
• get colder (become colder)

This song comes with a worksheet and is available for download in mp3. To see other suggestions on how to use this song in class, click here.

Lyrics

I get up at seven,
I’ve gotta get to school
And when I get there they’ll teach me
how to follow the rules

I’m getting desperate for a girl, when she’s around I get nervous
I get in trouble with police, they say my life is worthless

Now I’ve got a little older,
I got a job, got married, got new digs
I don’t get on well with my girlfriends
And I can’t get through to my kids

I think I’m getting fat and I’m losing my hair
But I just got a brand new car so I don’t care

I’m getting weak, getting tired,
I’m well past my prime
I get a visit from my children
But only from time to time

The days are getting shorter, the days are getting colder
My life’s coming to an end, it’s a weight on my shoulders

Suggested activity: suggest changes

Download this exercise (PDF)

You are going to listen to a song. Can any of the words or phrases in the lyrics below be substituted with the word “get”? The first one is done for you as an example.

I rise from bed at seven, ————> I get up at seven
I have to go to school,
And when I arrive there they’ll teach me
how to follow the rules

I’m becoming desperate for a girl, when she’s around I feel nervous,
I have problems with police, they say my life is worthless.

Now I’ve aged a little,
I found a job, became married, I bought new digs,
I don’t relate well with my girlfriends,
And I can’t communicate with my kids.

I think I’m putting on weight and I’m losing my hair,
But I just bought a brand new car so I don’t care.

I’m becoming weak, becoming tired,
I’m well past my prime,
I receive a visit from my children,
But only from time to time.

The days are becoming shorter, the days are becoming colder,
My life’s coming to an end, it’s a weight on my shoulders.

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If you enjoyed the song or if you think it will be useful for your students at least, remember this song comes with a worksheet and is available for download in mp3.