Fortunate Son – English Lyrics

• By: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the potent message of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son," a searing critique of class privilege and the Vietnam War. This iconic anthem offers a lesson in understanding social inequality and the power of protest music, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in American history and culture.

[English]

Some folks are born made to wave the flag

They're red, white and blue

And when the band plays "Hail to the Chief"

They point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no senator's son, son

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one

Some folks are born, silver spoon in hand

Lord, don't they help themselves, yeah

But when the taxman comes to the door

The house look a like a rummage sale

It ain't me, it ain't me

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

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one

Yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes

They send you down to war

And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?"

They only answer, "More, more, more"

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no military son, son

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one, one

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one

...

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.