Well, the key to my survival
Was never in much doubt
The question was how I could keep sane
Trying to find the 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
Till it started happening all the time
Soon I was living with the fear everyday
Of what might happen at 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 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
Please tell me what should I do
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help
Oh I was looking 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 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
Please tell me what should I do

You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help
Oh I was looking for you


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

No Son of Mine Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Michael Rutherford

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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No Son Of Mine song meanings
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    General Comment

    Phil Collins himself says this one that it is indeed about abuse by the father - it is deliberately left open whether it is upon the child and/or the mother.

    tugiton February 14, 2007   Link

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