Family Man
Andrew Peterson Lyrics


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I am a family man
I traded in my mustang for a minivan
This is not what I was headed for when I began
This was not my plan
I am a family man

But everything I had to lose
Came back a thousand times in you
And you fill me up with love
Fill me up with love
And you help me stand
'cause I am a family man

And life is good
That's something I always knew
But I just never understood
If you'd asked me then you know I'd say I never would
Settle down in a neighborhood
I never thought I could

But I don't remember anymore
Who I even was before
You filled me up with love
Filled me up with love
And you help me stand

So come on with the thunder clouds
Let the cold wind rail against us, let the rain come down
We can build a roof above us with the love we've found
We can stand our ground
So let the rain come down

Because love binds up what breaks in two
So keep my heart so close to you
And I'll fill you up with love
Fill you up with love
And I'll help you stand
'Cause I am a family man

I'm saving my vacation time
For Disneyland
This is not what I was headed for when I began




This was not my plan
It's so much better than

Overall Meaning

I understand "Family Man" as a song about a man who initially had different plans for his life but eventually finds joy and fulfillment in being a family man. The first stanza talks about a major life change - from owning a mustang to owning a minivan. This shows how drastically the singer's life has been altered. He acknowledges that this is not what he expected, but he has embraced his role as a family man. The second stanza shows how his family has impacted his life in a positive way. He realizes that everything he gave up for his family has come back to him a thousand times in love. He is grateful for the way his family fills him up with love and helps him stand. The third stanza reflects on how he used to view life - always knowing that life was good but not understanding why people would be content with settling down in a neighborhood. However, now he has found joy and contentment in being a family man. He no longer longs for a life of adventure, instead he wants to save his vacation time for Disneyland, showing how much his family means to him. The last verse reflects on how love can overcome challenges, such as thunder clouds and rain. The singer has learned that love can heal what is broken and make them stronger. The song concludes with the singer revealing that he is a family man and that it is so much better than what he had planned.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a family man
I am someone who has chosen to prioritize and invest in my family above other things.


I traded in my mustang for a minivan
I made significant sacrifices to ensure my family's needs were met, even if that meant giving up something I wanted or valued highly.


This is not what I was headed for when I began
My current situation may not have been my original ambition or goal, but it has become my priority and focus.


This was not my plan
My life has not turned out exactly as I envisioned it, but I have embraced the changes and challenges that come with being a family man.


But everything I had to lose
Despite what I may have given up or sacrificed, it has all been worth it in the end.


Came back a thousand times in you
The love and fulfillment I receive from my family far outweighs any material possessions or personal desires I may have had to give up.


And you fill me up with love
My family provides me with a deep sense of love and affection that sustains me and keeps me going.


And you help me stand
My family provides me with the emotional support and motivation I need to be the best version of myself.


'cause I am a family man
My identity is deeply tied to my role as a family man, and I take that responsibility seriously.


And life is good
Despite any challenges or setbacks, I feel content and grateful for the life I have created for myself and my family.


That's something I always knew
Deep down, I always believed that prioritizing family above all else would lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life.


But I just never understood
Although I had an intuition about the importance of family, I had not fully grasped the extent to which it would transform and shape my life.


If you'd asked me then you know I'd say I never would
In the past, I may have been hesitant to commit to a family-focused lifestyle, but now I know it was the right choice for me.


Settle down in a neighborhood
I have found a sense of belonging and community by creating a stable home and life in a specific location.


I never thought I could
Although settling down in one place may once have seemed daunting or even undesirable, I now see the immense benefits and rewards of building a life in one location.


But I don't remember anymore
My current life and identity as a family man has become so ingrained in me that it is difficult to even imagine or remember what life was like before.


Who I even was before
My current identity as a family man has become so integral to my sense of self that it is hard to separate from who I am now.


So come on with the thunder clouds
I am not afraid of facing life's challenges or difficulties because I have the love and support of my family to help me stand strong.


Let the cold wind rail against us, let the rain come down
Even in the face of harsh or difficult circumstances, my family and I will stand strong and weather any storm together.


We can build a roof above us with the love we've found
Through our deep love and affection for each other, my family and I have created a safe and secure space where we can find comfort and protection no matter what life throws our way.


We can stand our ground
Together, as a family, we are strong and resilient, able to face any challenge head-on and remain steadfast in our commitments and priorities.


Because love binds up what breaks in two
The deep love and connection that I share with my family has the power to heal and mend any brokenness or hurt that may occur.


So keep my heart so close to you
My family is the beating heart of my life, and I am committed to keeping that bond and connection strong and close at all times.


And I'll fill you up with love
I am dedicated to giving my family the same deep sense of love and fulfillment that they have given to me.


And I'll help you stand
I will always be there for my family, providing them with the emotional support, guidance, and strength they need to stand strong and face anything that may come our way.


'Cause I am a family man
I take great pride and joy in my role as a family man, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to be the best husband and parent I can be.


I'm saving my vacation time
I am dedicated to spending my time, energy, and resources in ways that prioritize and benefit my family, even if that means sacrificing my own personal desires or interests.


For Disneyland
I am excited to share new and meaningful experiences with my family, and Disneyland is just one way that we can bond and create lasting memories together.


It's so much better than I ever planned
Although my life may not have turned out exactly as I envisioned it, I realize now that it has become something far more fulfilling, rewarding, and joyous than I ever could have imagined.




Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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