Alan Smith Robertson – A Broken Heart

To practise: Adverbs, Adverbs of frequency
Band/singer:

This song comes with a worksheet to use in the classroomPractise adverbs of frequency in the ESL classroom with this song, A Broken Heart by Alan Smith Robertson.

These song lyrics include 11 adverbs of frequency: always, constantly, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, once in a while, now and then, rarely, hardly ever & never.

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.

YouTube player

Lyrics

VERSE 1
Once in a while, although she would smile,
It usually meant she was thinking of him.
Though sometimes we talked, more often than not,
I didn’t really hear what she had to say.

CHORUS
Now and then
Since we’re apart
I wonder how to mend a broken heart

VERSE 2
I was never there, when she needed me,
And constantly I was out drinking with friends.
I was always the one who was out having fun,
Yet she rarely complained about being ignored

CHORUS
Now and then
Since we’re apart
I wonder how to mend a broken heart

VERSE 3
Occasionally she sits under our tree,
Often to see if I come back to her.
By now she should know that I’m not coming home,
In fact now I hardly ever think about her

CHORUS
But now and then
since we’re apart
I wonder how to mend
HER broken heart

Suggested activity: fill the gaps

Download this exercise (PDF)

Listen to the song and write the adverbs or expressions of frequency that you hear: always, constantly, hardly ever, never, now and then, occasionally, often, once in a while, rarely, sometimes, usually

_____________, although she would smile,
it _____________ meant she was thinking of him.
Though _____________ we talked, more _____________ than not,
I didn’t really hear what she had to say.

CHORUS
_____________,
since we’re apart,
I wonder how to mend a broken heart.

I was _____________ there when she needed me,
and _____________ I was out drinking with friends.
I was _____________ the one who was out having fun,
yet she _____________ complained about being ignored.

_____________ she sits under our tree,
_____________ to see if I come back to her.
By now she should know that I’m not coming home.
In fact now I _____________ think about her.

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.

Not convinced?

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