a place in the sun

[Nefertiti]

Hi there.

1. I just realized that 'place in the sun' is an idiom.
Can anyone explain why the idiom has such a meaning?

place in the sun (source: Cambridge)
an advantageous position:
He certainly earned his place in the sun.

2. Does 'move on' mean to keep on or to continue?

3. Does 'before my life is done' mean before my life is finished or before I die? Is it a common usage?

4. ' You know when times are bad And you're feeling sad' What does 'times' mean? apparently, it's countable. Is it OK to say, "times are good and you're feeling great"?

Thanks in advance.

______________
The Song

"A Place In The Sun"

Like a long lonely stream
I keep runnin' towards a dream
Movin' on, movin' on
Like a branch on a tree
I keep reachin' to be free
Movin' on, movin' on

'Cause there's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for ev'ryone
Where my poor restless heart's gotta run
There's a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Got to find me a place in the sun

Like an old dusty road
I get weary from the load
Movin' on, movin' on
Like this tired troubled earth
I've been rollin' since my birth
Movin' on, movin' on

There's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for ev'ryone
Where my poor restless heart's gotta run
I know there's a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Got to find me a place in the sun

You know when times are bad
And you're feeling sad
I want you to always remember

Yes, there's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for ev'ryone
Where my poor restless heart's gotta run
I know there's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for ev'ryone
Where my poor restless heart's gotta run
There's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for ev'ryone...

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by Nefertiti

Hi there.

1. I just realized that 'place in the sun' is an idiom.
Can anyone explain why the idiom has such a meaning?

place in the sun (source: Cambridge)
an advantageous position:
He certainly earned his place in the sun.

I don't know what the climate is like where you're from, Nefertiti, but when it's minus 40 degrees C or F [they're equal at that point], a place in the sun is indeed an advantageous position.

2. Does 'move on' mean to keep on or to continue?

It's similar to both.

3. Does 'before my life is done' mean before my life is finished or before I die Is it a common usage?

"before my life is finished or before I die" mean the same thing. It's quite common.

4. ' You know when times are bad And you're feeling sad' What does 'times' mean? apparently, it's countable. Is it OK to say, "times are good and you're feeling great"?

Those times when things are not going well for you. Yes, you can have 'times when things are going great and times when things are going terribly.

Thanks in advance.

##

[mykwyner]

Good choice, Nefertiti! One of the best songs ever written, from one of the greatest artists ever: Stevie Wonder.

P.S. Please attribute your quotes. Some members might want to look up authors, and it's good academic manners.