There's sadness in the family, Dad told me
Let's not speak of it, it only brings us down

And there's sadness in the DNA, I've known it
I've felt it in the pavements of this town

I've lived my life with a backpack that
Was never mine to carry
Heard its constant whine
Saw its body that was never mine to bury

There's trouble in the genes, Dad told me
Don't ask again, best we don't bring it up

Dad, it seems you can't clear away the smoke
Of fires you can't find
I've lived my life with a longing
That I can't identify
I've been kept from, held from knowing
Daddy, that's why it keeps on growing

I found the dead animal the smell stems from
I found the story from which the shadow was cast

I searched and searched and now that I
Found it
I want to give it back
I searched and searched and now that I
Found it
I want to give it back

There's trouble in the family, I tell you
I know and now that I do
Kid, I'm passing it on to you

But let's not speak of it, son
It only brings us down

But let's not speak of it, son
It only brings us down