Lyrics

FAMILY BUSINESS (Music & Lyric by Louis Rosen)

One fall night
So long ago
Set the path for my whole life
Had the best guy
We were so in love
I said,
“Yes, I'll be your wife"
I floated home
Told my Ma and Dad
Ma was cold as cold could be
Said, “A light-skinned girl
And a dark-skinned boy…
Will you bring this shame on me?”

Family business
Family ties
Debts that we pay
Dreams of the mother
Father and child
Don’t just fade away

So I slammed out
Found a corner bar
And I drank ‘till I was blind
We could drive off
Elope there and then
Just leave this life behind
But Ma and Dad
Meant the world to me
Words alone cannot explain
How does someone choose,
Make a happy life
On the soul of someone’s pain?

Family business
Family ties
Debts that we pay
Dreams of the mother
Father and child
Don’t just fade away

So I told my beau
We’d have to wait
Maybe Ma would come around
Let’s just carry on
Though I fooled myself
He faced our fate
Well before I knew we were through
He was gone.

Family business
Family ties
Debts that we pay
Dreams of the mother
Father and child
Don’t just fade away

Dreams of the mother,
Father and child
Faithful or foolish
Reckless or wild
Don’t just fade
Don’t just fade away

One fall night
So long ago
Set the path for my life

© 2006 by Louis Rosen/Lullwater Music, ASCAP. All Rights Reserved.