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Published: March 1, 2023
Last updated: March 2, 2023 at 1:46 am
“No Son of Mine” is a 1991 hit song by the Genesis Rock Band. British singer, Phil Collins, delivers a powerful musical portrayal of the unfortunate reality of millions of people around the world. Psychologists estimate that more than 80% of families are dysfunctional, and an alarming percentage of people experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
In “No Son of Mine,” Phil Collins puts himself in the shoes of a youth whose mother was constantly being abused by his father. As his fear and frustration reaches a climax, the youth runs away from home.
Soon I was living with the fear everyday Of what might happen that night I couldn’t stand to hear the crying Of my mother, and I remember when I swore that that would be the last they’d see of me And I never went home again
After spending some time in solitude, surviving by God knows what means, the youth decides to return home to meet his father. He wonders how he would receive him and what he was say. But he didn’t exactly get the welcome of the glorious biblical prodigal son from the Gospel of Luke.
I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth I had to hear what he’d say He sat me down to talk to me He looked me straight in the eyes He said “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” “You walked out, you left us behind” “And you’re no son, you’re no son of mine”
The confrontation with his incapable father only left the youth with a bigger mental challenge than before. The expression “where should I go and what should I do” suggests that it would be difficult to survive “out in the cold,” but that God would nevertheless make a way.
“No Son of Mine,” then is an inspiration to many determined children around the world who are faced with a giant they should never have to fight – contending against parents who, for some unfortunate reason, don’t understand their consecrated role and responsibility as a parent in the life of a child.
Lyrics
Well the key to my survival Was never in much doubt The question was, how I could keep sane Trying to find a way out? Things were never easy for me Peace of mind was hard to find And I needed a place where I could hide Somewhere I could call mine
I didn’t think much about it ‘Til it started happening all the time Soon I was living with the fear everyday Of what might happen that night I couldn’t stand to hear the crying Of my mother, and I remember when I swore that that would be the last they’d see of me And I never went home again
They say that time is a healer And now my wounds are not the same I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth I had to hear what he’d say
He sat me down to talk to me He looked me straight in the eyes He said
“You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” “You walked out, you left us behind” “And you’re no son, you’re no son of mine”
Oh, his words how they hurt me, I’ll never forget it And as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it
“You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” But where should I go and what should I do? “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” But I came here for help, oh I came here for you
Well the years they passed so slowly I thought about him everyday What would I do, if we passed on the street Would I keep running away? In and out of hiding places Soon I’d have to face the facts We’d have to sit down and talk it over And that would mean going back
They say that time is a healer And now my wounds are not the same But I rang that bell with my heart in my mouth I had to hear what he’d say
He sat me down to talk to me He looked me straight in the eyes He said
“You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” “You’re no son, no son of mine” “When you walked out, you left us behind” “And you’re no son, you’re no son of mine”
Oh, his words how they hurt me I’ll never forget it And as the time, it went by I lived to regret it
“You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” But where should I go and what should I do? “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine” Well I came here for help, oh I was looking for you
“You’re no son, you’re no son of mine oh” “You’re no son” ha yeah, ha yeah, ha yeah, ha yeah, ha yeah “You’re no son, you’re no son of mine”
Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh You’re no son of mine (oh, oh) (Oh, oh) You’re no son of mine (oh, oh) You’re no son (oh, oh), you’re no son of mine (oh, oh)
Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh You’re no son of mine (oh, oh) Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh
