English through music · Bob Dylan · B2. Guarda il video, leggi l’analisi della canzone, poi rifletti sulle domande. Gli esempi e gli spezzoni citati sono in inglese, con traduzione.
Written in the early 1970s for one of his own children, “Forever Young” is one of Bob Dylan’s gentlest and most loving songs. It is not a protest or a story, but a series of warm wishes — almost a prayer — from a parent to a child.
The whole song is built as a list of good wishes. The singer hopes that the child will grow up strong, honest, brave and happy, and that he will always keep a young heart, whatever happens in life.
Each line begins with a wish, and together they form a beautiful blessing for someone the singer loves deeply.
The title does not really mean staying young in age. It means keeping the best qualities of youth — curiosity, hope, kindness and courage — even as we grow older.
In this way the song speaks to everyone, not just to children: it asks us to protect the open, hopeful part of ourselves throughout our whole lives.
Unlike many of Dylan’s songs, this one uses very simple language. There are no strange images or difficult ideas, only clear, honest wishes.
That simplicity is exactly why it has become a favourite at weddings, birthdays and family moments all over the world.
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This song is one long wish, so it is the perfect place to study how we use may to express hopes and good wishes.
To make a formal wish, we can begin a sentence with May + subject + base verb: May you stay young. / May all your dreams come true. / May you be happy. This structure is common in blessings, toasts and celebrations.
In everyday English we more often use I hope + present or future: I hope you have a great day. / I hope you will be happy. Write two good wishes for a friend, one with “May you…” and one with “I hope…”.
A blessing is a wish for someone’s happiness or protection. A wish is a hope that something good will happen. To be honest means to tell the truth and not to cheat.
Courage is the ability to do something even when you are afraid. Curiosity is a strong wish to know or learn. A quality is a good feature of a person’s character.
- The song wishes the listener will “stay forever young”; what do you think that really means?
- Which of the wishes in the song feels most important to you, and why?
- Why do you think such a simple song has become so popular at weddings and birthdays?
- Write three good wishes for someone you love, using “May you…”.
Suggerimento: leggi il testo completo sul sito ufficiale mentre ascolti, poi prova a rispondere alle domande ad alta voce.