Hand Me Downs – English Lyrics

• By: Mac Miller

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

I'm thinkin' maybe I should thank you

Oh, baby, I should buy you another round

'Cause you care, and I swear that I'm here, but I'm there

It's gettin' harder to hunt me down

Get away to a place with a lake, such a great view

Leave the bank, couple hunnid thou'

I made it, but I hate once I build it, I break it

That might just break me down

And all I ever needed was somebody with some reason who can keep me sane

Ever since I can remember, I've been keepin' it together, but I'm feelin' strange

Get away when it ain't really safe and it don't seem right

But what's new? You get used to the bullshit, the screws, they go missin'

It's likely they might be, but...

You remind me

Shit, I need to stay in line

You damn well are a great design

You, despite bein' an only child

Say you need more of a family 'round

Let's turn these genes into hand me downs

Down, down

Down, down, down

Down, down

Down, down, down

Yeah, well, I'm just being honest, my conscience ain't doin' bad

Because I try to minus the problems that I attract

And half the time, the wheels that's in the back of my mind

Just keep on turnin' 'til the tires flat and burn until the fire crack

I do not lie, though, facts may seem a little farfetched

That's only 'cause I may be make-believe and full of darkness

When I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place

Walkin', droppin' change inside your empty guitar case

That's charity, um, I move carelessly, that's why I'm always trippin'

I guess it's like electrolytes, you help me go the distance

Not too efficient, but the way it's always been

Until the day we have to meet again

Get away when it ain't really safe and it don't seem right

But what's new? You get used to the bullshit, the screws, they go missin'

It's likely they might be, but...

You remind me

Shit, I need to stay in line

You damn well are a great design

You, despite bein' an only child

Say you need more of a family 'round

Let's turn these genes into hand me downs

Down, down

Down, down, down

Down, down

Down, down, down

...

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, baby, I should buy you another round

  ➔ Modal verb “should” for advice

  ➔ The modal verb "should" expresses a recommendation: "I "should" buy you another round."

• I've been keepin' it together, but I'm feelin' strange

  ➔ Present perfect continuous for an action that started in the past and continues

  ➔ The structure "have/has + been + verb‑ing" ("I've "been" keepin' it together") shows an ongoing state that started earlier.

• You, despite bein' an only child, say you need more of a family 'round

  ➔ Concessive clause with “despite” + gerund

  ➔ "Despite" introduces a contrast: "You, "despite" bein' an only child, ...".

• Let's turn these genes into hand me downs

  ➔ Imperative with “let’s” + base verb (suggestion)

  ➔ "Let's" is a polite way to make a suggestion: "Let's "turn" these genes...".

• I do not lie, though, facts may seem a little farfetched

  ➔ Contrastive conjunction “though” in a parenthetical position

  ➔ "Though" is placed between commas to show an unexpected contrast: "I do not lie, "though", facts may seem...".

• Until the day we have to meet again

  ➔ Time clause with present simple after “until”

  ➔ "Until" introduces a future point, but English uses the present simple: "Until the day we "have" to meet again...".

• It's likely they might be, but...

  ➔ Modal verb “might” after “likely” for speculation

  ➔ "Likely" shows probability; "might" adds a layer of uncertainty: "They "might" be...".

• When I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place

  ➔ Idiomatic expression “between a rock and a hard place” in a dependent clause

  ➔ "When" introduces a dependent clause; the idiom means being in a difficult dilemma: "When I'm "stuck" between a rock and a hard place...".

• I guess it's like electrolytes, you help me go the distance

  ➔ Simile with “like” + noun; also a causal clause with “you help me”

  ➔ "It's like" introduces a comparison: "I guess it's "like" electrolytes...". The second part shows cause‑effect: "you "help" me go the distance".