When to Use Lie, Lay, Laid, and Lain

Last year, when I released my educational holiday parody video “A Peninsula, Island, or an Isthmus?” it was, I have to say, a huge success.  The only problem being that I was under a lot of pressure when it came to the sequel.  The studio wanted something by Christmas, and the focus groups were brutal when we tested various other geographical songs on them.  Nothing was coming together, I was uninspired, and decided that perhaps my previous video success was a one time deal.

Then, as I was writing my novel last month, I realized that every time I wanted to use the words lie, lay, laid, or lain, I had to look up which one was appropriate.  Every time.  I could not remember what to use when.  It was horrible.  If only there were some sort of mnemonic device, like a song set to a possibly recognizable tune, to help me remember!  And suddenly the idea for this song was born.

I hope you will enjoy learning about grammar this year, and are not too disappointed not to get another geography lesson.  If you are, in fact, too disappointed, feel free to leave angry comments below.  And so, without further ado, I present to you: “When To Use Lie, Lay, Laid, and Lain.”