Nine Ball – English Lyrics

• By: Zach Bryan

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the heartfelt narrative of Zach Bryan's "Nine Ball," a song that delves into the complex relationship between a father and son. By listening to this song, you'll gain insight into the challenges of family dynamics and the power of resilience, all while appreciating Bryan's signature blend of Americana and roots-rock.

[English]

I don't wanna bet, but my father wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash

He's bettin' on the eight-ball landin' in the side wall, cold-blooded killer if you asked

But every night he needs me to land himself a red-three, corner pocket at 12 a.m.

Only twelve years old, but I got ahold of a pool stick I was gifted from him

My father is a bettin' man

But I got myself a steady hand

He's sittin' in the corner with a six-pack of Corona

Bettin' that his son 'll win again

...

Go bet another six-pack

Bet I make comeback

Count on that this table's got a lean

Won't you to takе me fishin', and I wanna try out for the sevеnth-grade football team

He'll probably be nothin', but this town's old drunkard 'nd die on a smoke-stained stool

Right now he's got a bargain that he's taken too far on his boys game of nine-ball pool

My father was a bettin' man

But I got myself a steady hand

He's sittin' in the corner with a six-pack of Corona

Bettin' that his son 'll win again

My father was a bettin' man

...

My father was a bettin' man

But I got myself a steady hand

He's sittin' in the corner with a six-pack of Corona

Bettin' that his son 'll win again

I don't wanna bet, but my daddy wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash

He's bettin' on the eight-ball landin' in the side wall, cold-blooded killer if you asked

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
bet /bɛt/ B1	verb - to risk something, usually money, on the result of an event or a competition noun - an act of gambling or something that you gamble
father /ˈfɑːðər/ A1	noun - a male parent
check /tʃɛk/ A2	noun - a written order directing a bank to pay money
cash /kæʃ/ A2	noun - money in the form of coins or banknotes verb - convert (a check or money order) into cash.
killer /ˈkɪlər/ B1	noun - a person or thing that causes death
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between one day and the next
pool /puːl/ A2	noun - a game played on a billiard table with a cue and 15 balls
stick /stɪk/ A2	noun - a long thin piece of wood or other material
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult male human being
hand /hænd/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist
corner /ˈkɔːrnər/ A2	noun - a place where two or more sides or edges meet
son /sʌn/ A1	noun - a male child
table /ˈteɪbl/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs
town /taʊn/ A1	noun - an urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government
game /ɡeɪm/ A1	noun - a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or chance.

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't wanna bet, but my father wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash

  ➔ Relative clause with "that"

  ➔ The word "that" introduces a relative clause that modifies "check". The relative clause "that I bet his ass could never cash" provides additional information about the check.

• He's bettin' on the eight-ball landin' in the side wall, cold-blooded killer if you asked

  ➔ Present continuous for future action (betting)

  ➔ "He's bettin'" is a shortened form of "He is betting," using the present continuous tense to describe a future action. The phrase "if you asked" is also a conditional clause (type 1 - implicit) offering context.

• But every night he needs me to land himself a red-three, corner pocket at 12 a.m.

  ➔ Object + infinitive construction (needs me to land)

  ➔ The verb "needs" is followed by an object ("me") and an infinitive ("to land"). This construction indicates that he requires the speaker to perform the action of landing the ball.

• Only twelve years old, but I got ahold of a pool stick I was gifted from him

  ➔ Passive voice (was gifted)

  ➔ "Was gifted" is the past passive form of the verb "gift". It indicates that the speaker received the pool stick as a gift.

• Bet I make comeback

  ➔ Ellipsis (I bet)

  ➔ The phrase "Bet I make comeback" is a colloquial shortening of "I bet I make a comeback." The "I" is omitted for brevity and informality.

• Won't you to takе me fishin', and I wanna try out for the sevеnth-grade football team

  ➔ Use of "wanna" and "try out for"

  ➔ "Wanna" is a colloquial contraction of "want to". "Try out for" is a phrasal verb meaning to attempt to join a team or group.

• He'll probably be nothin', but this town's old drunkard 'nd die on a smoke-stained stool

  ➔ Future tense with 'll (He'll)

  ➔ "He'll" is a contraction of "He will", indicating a prediction about the future. The "nd" is a colloquial contraction of "and".

• Right now he's got a bargain that he's taken too far on his boys game of nine-ball pool

  ➔ Present perfect (he's taken)

  ➔ "He's taken" is the present perfect form of the verb "take". It signifies an action completed at some point in the past that has relevance to the present.