Family Song [
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

Well ya know when you're young,
When you are young, you may feel a disconnection from your family due to differences in opinions and viewpoints.

Papa wants a lawyer and mama she wants an author,
Parents often have their own aspirations and dreams for their children, which may not necessarily align with what the child wants.

And all you want is for them to want you.
Despite the differences in ambitions, ultimately, a child just wants to feel loved and accepted by their parents.

Well, I saw lot of bad signs and we had some real bad timesback on the east coast.
Growing up, there may be challenging times within a family, as the artist experienced on the east coast.

And I guess you could say it took california to bring us close.
Moving to California allowed the family to come together and find a new sense of connection.

There was a lot of hard livin' and some stone cold women on the east coast.
The east coast was a rough place to live, with difficult circumstances and harsh people.

And I saw my papa turn away when I need him the most.
The singer witnessed a painful moment when their father was not there for them during a time of need.

And california, she's an angel.
California is described as being a positive influence, almost like a heavenly being.

Lo, so heavenly dressed
Even the scenery and appearance of California is beautiful and ethereal.

And the pacific she's a woman
The Pacific Ocean is personified as being feminine, perhaps representing nurturing and care.

The lord must have loved her best.
The singer suggests that God favored California, perhaps due to its beauty and sense of positivity.

I got a california rainbow to come give them thunder clouds a rest
The artist found hope and positivity in California, like a rainbow shining through the clouds.

And the mountain is my friend now, she put me to her test
The mountains of California are seen as challenging but ultimately a positive force in the singer's life.

Well you know every father has dreams and schemes fo his own kid.
Just like the singer's parents had their own aspirations for their child, this is a common experience for many families.

And dreaming it ain't been declaired no capital crime
Having dreams and hopes for one's child is not a bad thing or punishable in any way.

But I just hope when I grow up to have my own kids
The artist expresses a desire to have children of their own in the future.

I'll love them all I can and let 'em make their own minds
If the artist does have children, they want to prioritize love and allowing their kids to make their own decisions and form their own opinions.

Now you know how a mother can hold the son through understanding.
Mothers can provide support and comfort to their children through empathy and understanding.

And my father he once held me close by crying.
The singer's father showed his love and emotion by holding their child and crying with them.

Whoa, and my mama's love it don't ever leave me standing.
The artist's mother's love is a constant in their life and never leaves them feeling unsupported.

And papa's love it just leaves me smiling.
The artist's father's love brings them happiness and joy.

Whoa, and my mama she's a rainbow,
Once again, the artist's mother is compared to a rainbow, perhaps due to her colorful and bright spirit.

Gotta see hen on sunday when she's dressed
The singer looks forward to seeing their mother on Sundays, when she is dressed up and looking her best.

Whoa, and my papa he's a good man, he gives me and mama his best.
The artist's father is seen as a good man who tries his best to provide for his family.

My mama she's a rainbow, come to give them thunder clouds a rest.
Once again, the singer sees their mother as a positive force in their family, bringing a sense of calm and happiness.

And my family is my friend now california put us through her test.
Through the challenges of moving to California, the singer's family has grown closer and become like friends to one another.