Family Line
View chords used in this chart
Bm D
My father never talked a lot
G
He just took a walk around the block
Bm D
'Til all his anger took a hold of him
G
And then he'd hit
Bm D
My mother never cried a lot
G
She took the punches, but she never fought
Bm D
'Til she said, "I'm leaving and I'll take the kids"
G
So she did
Bm D G
I say they're just the ones who gave me life
Bm D G*
But I truly am my parents' child
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
I'm so good at telling lies
Bm D
That came from my mother's side
G
Told a million to survive
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
God, I have my father's eyes
Bm D
But my sister's when I cry
G
I can run, but I can't hide
Bm D G
From my family line
Bm D
It's hard to put it into words
G
How the holidays will always hurt
Bm D
I watch the fathers with their little girls
G
And wonder what I did to deserve this
Bm D
How could you hurt a little kid?
G
I can't forget, I can't forgive you
Bm D G
'Cause now I'm scared that everyone I love will leave me
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
I'm so good at telling lies
Bm D
That came from my mother's side
G
Told a million to survive
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
God, I have my father's eyes
Bm D
But my sister's when I cry
G
I can run, but I can't hide
Em Bm A
From my family line
Em Bm A
From my family line
Oh-oh
Em Bm
All that I did to try to undo it
A
All of my pain and all your excuses
Em Bm
I was a kid, but I wasn't clueless
A
(Someone who loves you wouldn't do this)
Em Bm
All of my past, I try to erase it
A
But now I see, would I even change it
Em Bm
Might share a face and share a last name but
A
(We are not the same, same)
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
I'm so good at telling lies
Bm D
That came from my mother's side
G
Told a million to survive
Bm D
Scattered 'cross my family line
G
God, I have my father's eyes
Bm D
But my sister's when I cry
G
I can run, but I can't hide
Bm D G
From my family line
Bm D G
From my family line
How to play Family Line
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Bm. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.