Fortunate Son – English Lyrics

• By: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Lyrics & Translation

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
flag /flæɡ/ A2	noun - a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as a symbol
cannon /ˈkæn.ən/ B1	noun - a large, heavy piece of artillery, typically mounted on wheels
senator /ˈsɛn.ə.tər/ B2	noun - a member of a senate, especially in the United States
millionaire /ˌmɪl.jəˈnɛr/ B2	noun - a person whose wealth is greater than one million units of currency
fortunate /ˈfɔːr.tʃən.ət/ B2	adjective - having good luck; lucky
inherit /ɪnˈhɛr.ɪt/ B2	verb - to receive money, property, or a title as an heir at the death of the previous holder
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country
help /hɛlp/ A1	verb - to assist someone or make it easier for someone to do something
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
more /mɔːr/ A1	adverb - a greater or additional amount

Key Grammar Structures

• It ain't me, it ain't me

  ➔ Negative contraction

  ➔ The phrase "ain't" is a colloquial contraction for "is not" or "are not".

• I ain't no senator's son, son

  ➔ Double negative

  ➔ Using "ain't no" emphasizes the negation, meaning 'I am not a senator's son at all.'

• Some folks are born made to wave the flag

  ➔ Passive voice

  ➔ The phrase indicates that some people are born into a situation where they are expected to wave the flag.

• But when the taxman comes to the door

  ➔ Adverbial clause

  ➔ The clause 'when the taxman comes to the door' provides a condition for the main clause.

• They send you down to war

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The present simple tense is used to express habitual actions or general truths.

• They only answer, 'More, more, more'

  ➔ Direct speech

  ➔ Direct speech is used to quote someone's exact words.

• I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis

  ➔ The repetition of 'no' emphasizes the speaker's denial of being a millionaire's son.