Family, Man – English Lyrics

• By: gnash
• Album: The Art of Letting Go

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into gnash’s “Family, Man,” a poignant reflection on family struggles and personal resilience. This song offers a beautiful opportunity to connect with English through its heartfelt lyrics, exploring themes of empathy and understanding the complexities of home life. Discover how gnash masterfully crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universally relatable, making it a special piece for language learners seeking authentic emotional expression.

[English]

My Sister's doing her best

But every time her dad gets dressed

Her mama goes to smoke a cigarette

It's kinda hard to pretend

It isn't valid 'cause what happens

If he has a heart attack again

While he's balancin' checks

To put some food up on the table

Keep the family goin' stable

And I'm takin' a breath

Keepin' peace and watchin' cable

Gonna get out when I'm able

Oh, that was the show

I didn't know

That when you grow up in a home

Where every door's closed

You feel so alone

I'm just doing the best I can

They were doing their best back then

And I know it's not okay

But in a way, I understand

'Cause I'm doing the best I can

Family man

I really don't remember much before the age of ten

My dog Dodger and a Beatles' poster over my bed

If every day was Disney and I never found the Internet

Then maybe I'd be doin' better up in my head

Sortin' through these pictures and the facts from their opinions

When it's time to take advice and when it's time to be dismissive

My dad would blame his trauma when he asked to be forgiven

When you're used to gettin' yelled at, it's hard to learn to listen

Oh, that was the show

The curtains have closed

But I know I'm not alone

I'm just doing the best I can

They were doing their best back then

And I know it's not okay

But in a way, I understand

'Cause I'm doing the best I can

Family man

Now they're movin' to Michigan

Gives me something to miss again

And I can feel it in the rain

While I'm flyin' to Japan

And my sister's in LA

Tryin' to figure out a plan

We didn't cause the pain

But the healing's in our hands

And we're doin' the best we can

Yeah, we're doin' the best we can

Family man

Family man

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
best /best/ A2	adjective - of the highest quality, most excellent adverb - most suitably
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ B1	verb - perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - having no one else present
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
healing /ˈhiːlɪŋ/ B2	noun - the process of becoming sound or healthy again
balance /ˈbæləns/ B1	verb - keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall noun - an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright
remember /rɪˈmembər/ A2	verb - recall the past
figure /ˈfɪɡər/ B1	verb - work something out
trauma /ˈtrɔːmə/ C1	noun - a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
listen /ˈlɪsn/ A2	verb - give one's attention to a sound
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - move through the air using wings
cause /kɔːz/ B1	verb - make something happen noun - the reason why something happens
miss /mɪs/ A2	verb - feel sadness at the absence of someone or something
plan /plæn/ A2	noun - a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist