[Verse 1: Whitney Houston]
Nothing's better than family
For the ones who love you so
Be a shoulder to cry on when you're in need
They'll never leave you alone, no
When your friends bring you down
And they drag you through the dirt
And when nobody's around
They'll carry you through the hurt
Just remember that family comes first

[Chorus: Choir, Whitney Houston]
Where you gonna run to (Where you gonna run)
When no one is around (No one is around)
Do you think out there they'll love you
When your face is on the ground? (Face is on the ground)
When you feel your strength is almost gone (Almost gone)
And your arms are getting weak (And you're getting weak)
And you don't think you'll keep holding on (Hold on)
We'll help you stand tall on your feet (Just remember)
Family comes first

[Verse 2: Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston & Both]
I can see you crying - someone broke your heart
Instead of being with those who love you, you spend time apart
It's because you think they won't understand
The pain you're going through
So you don't reach out your hand for them
'Til they'll pull and reach for you
Just remember (Remember) that family comes first
[Chorus: Choir, Dionne Warwick]
Where you gonna run to when no one is around?
(Where you gonna run?)
Do you think out there they'll love you
When your face is on the ground? (You know that we love you)
When you feel your strength is almost gone
And your arms are getting weak (Ooh)
And you don't think you'll keep holding on
We'll help you stand tall on your feet

[Bridge: Choir, Whitney Houston]
Don't you be ashamed of your family
Brought you into this earth, and loved you since birth
(Untraditionally, yeah, oh yeah)
Sometimes you may disagree and won't see eye to eye
Don't you run away, oh no
They'll be right by your side, oh oh, oh oh

[Chorus: Choir, Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston]
Where you gonna run to (Who you gonna run to?)
When no one is around? (When no one is around)
Do you think out there they'll love you
When your face is on the ground? (Oh, oh yeah)
When you feel your strength is almost gone
And your arms are getting weak (Your arms are getting weak)
And you don't think you'll keep holding on
We'll help you stand tall on your feet
(We'll help you stand) (Just remember) (Just remember)
Family comes first, yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
[Outro: All]
Comes first