Damn Tall Buildings

Learning Materials

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Artist: Damn Tall Buildings

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We have created lesson plans and a video series to use in the classroom. Scroll down to see all lesson materials or download the full package here.

Featured Song: Honey I’m Coming Home by Damn Tall Buildings

Download “Honey I’m Coming Home”

Download Honey I'm Coming Home (mp3)

Music Video

Lyric Video

Video Activities

Program Materials

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Below is an incredible collection from American English to provide fun new ways of teaching and learning English.

Use these files in conjunction with the song in this language package for an integrated teaching experience.

More available at https://americanenglish.state.gov/

Honey I’m Coming Home by Damn Tall Buildings

You were made out of diamonds, but
You were tossed in the sand,
you ain’t Hiding from me,
though you think you can
You got me backed in the corner
You got me praying to god
Well I’m striking deals with the devil
‘Cause I don’t know who I got
Well, you left me down by the riverbed
Trying to find a place to lie my head
Remember them words that I done wish you’d said
Oh no, Oh no
Honey I’m coming home
♫♫♫
You said you ain’t lookin’ for nothin’
But you ain’t got no plans
But I don’t fit your description and
I should understand
Maybe if ‘ya write me home
With a suitcase in my hand
Maybe I’d be what you wanted
I could be your man
Well, you left me down by the riverbed
Trying to find a place to lie my head
Remember them words that I done wish you’d said
Oh no, Oh no
Honey I’m coming home
♫♫♫
You’re going back to Virginia
You’re going back down south
Said you’re tired of the weather
And you had to get out
And me, I’m off to the ocean
‘Cause that’s where I belong
There ain’t no use in staying
Now that you’re moving on
Now that you’re moving on
Well, you left me down by the riverbed
Trying to find a place to lie my head
Remember them words that I done wish you’d said?
Oh no, Oh no
Honey I’m coming home
Left me down by the riverbed
Trying to find a place to lie my head
Remember them words that I done wish you’d said?
Oh no, Oh no
Honey I’m coming home

A2 Level Words

by
preposition
next to or near someone or something

god
noun
the spirit who created the universe and everything in it in certain religions

if
conjunction
something will happen only after something else happens or is true

lie
verb
move your body into a horizontal to position

made out of
verb
be produced from a substance or material

maybe
adverb
possibly

off
adverb
away from a place; leave

plan
noun
an arrangement for what you want to do in the future

pray
verb
to speak to a god to show your feelings or to ask for something

south
noun
southern part of the US

suitcase
noun
a case with a handle for carrying clothes while traveling

try
verb
attempt to do something

were
auxiliary verb
used to show actions that are or still continuing

write
verb
to send a letter or email to someone

B1 Level Words

by
preposition
near or next to something or someone

deal with
verb
take action in order to solve a problem

description
noun
something that tells you what something or someone is like

fit
verb
agree with; match or be suitable for something

get out
verb
leave a closed vehicle or place

go back
verb
to return to a place where you were or where you have been before

hide
verb
conceal something (like feelings)

ocean
noun
the sea

sand
noun
small grains of rock that are found on beaches and in deserts

should
modal verb
expect something to be true or happen

understand
verb
know how someone feels or why they behave in a particular way

wish
verb
to want a different situation from the reality

B2 Level Words

belong
verb
to feel happy or comfortable somewhere or in a situation

could
verb
used to indicate possibility

devil
noun
an evil being often represented with a tail and horns

diamond
noun
an extremely hard valuable stone which is used in jewelry though
conjunction, but

C1/C2 Level Words

going back
verb
moving to a previous place

corner
noun
a place where two sides meet

move on
verb
leave the place where you are and go somewhere else

tired of
verb
become bored with someone or something; stop enjoying an activity

toss
verb
throw something somewhere carelessly

ther Words

honey
noun
(informal) a name you call someone you like or love

ain’t
verb
(informal) am/are/is not

lookin’
verb
(informal) short for looking

nothin’
noun
(informal) short for nothing

riverbed
noun
where a river flows

Virginia
noun
a state in the United States

For each heading in the materials, we have identified an icon to help instructors quickly find and identify information. Please use them when creating any new materials or adapting previous materials. The icon should be left justified and appear below the section heading. Any text should appear to the right of the icon.

ICON	MEANING
	Activity Summary
	Additional Resources
	Associated Audio
	Associated Video
	Less Challenging (for beginners)
	Lesson Plan
	Listening
	More Challenging (for advanced learners)
	Online Tip
	Reading
	Speaking
	Writing

Snapshots

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Short question videos to use in the classroom to start new conversations in a modern “Stories” format. Break the ice in new groups or shake up the routine. Teachers can also pair these videos with games below.

ACTIVITIES

These short games can be used with the Snapshot videos for a quick activity in the classroom.

About The Artist

Damn Tall Buildings

BIOGRAPHY

In their early days, Brooklyn-based Damn Tall Buildings didn’t rehearse – they busked. Now, whether live or on record, the band still radiates the energy of a ragtag crew of music students playing bluegrass on the street. But anchoring that energy is their instrumental chops, their strong songwriting, and their varied influences that stretch beyond bluegrass, even beyond American roots music altogether. Whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the four members of Damn Tall Buildings (guitarist/lead vocalist Max Capistran, bassist/lead vocalist Sasha Dubyk, fiddler/vocalist Avery Ballotta and banjoist/vocalist Jordan Alleman) blend elements of bluegrass, blues, roots-rock, and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound. Since their busking days, they’ve made three albums: 2014’s Cure-All, 2015’s self-titled, and 2019’s Don’t Look Down. Their lyrics and beauty and glory in the mundane, workaday struggle of everyday life: time keeps passing, you don’t like your job, you drink too much, you laugh with your friends, you search for a home, and you dream about what else might be out there. You carry on. This is what Damn Tall Buildings sings about, what they seek to share with their audience.

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The Office of English Language Programs designs and manages programs to promote language learning and support the teaching of English in countries around the world. These programs are administered through local American Embassies and Consulates and are overseen by Regional English Language Officers. The Office of English Language Programs also provides academic expertise and develops English teaching and learning resources for use worldwide. The American English website provides links to multimedia resources and information on exchange opportunities for teachers and students of English as a foreign language.

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Wordplay is brought to you by the Office of English Language Programs, American Music Abroad, and American Voices.

More information available at:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/