Now playing

Family Portrait

Chords

4.819 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
 D   A(x2)
DSo we start with my father as a boy barely spoke a word of English
AFell in love from a distance, Ehe watched her working from the back fence
DHe learned some words and some clever turns of phrase from his father's book of Apoets
She wasn't taAken in that instant, but grew imprEessed with his persistence
DThey met each other out by moonlightE, made love in the nearby Awoods
Then her folks became suspicC#mious, when her cycle broke that settled it
DThey stole away without their goodbyes, gEot married in a foreign toAwn
Made their way as best as they could. FC#mound jobs and settled doDwn
And then time moved Eon
[Interlude]
 D   A(x2)
DI was born in a river of blood on sheets from the wedding day
AThe room was dark and the stench was thick, my fEather couldn't stand the smell of it
DMama died in the night cause the nearest doctor couldn't stem the blood loss
AFather cried out on the back porch. EMy sister held me at the neighbor's house
DOh my there was a storm thenE, there was a flood of a different Akind
Father's eyes were often vacant, but his hands wC#mere rarely Dquiet
Sister learned to take her hits well, Eboth from life and the physical Akind
But I was never one to lie down, deC#mspite who picked the Dfight
So we designed our hellsE  
[Interlude]
 A   D   E(x2)
DFather turned into a drinker, Ea dark bastard with a wooden Aheart
Sister learned to be a mC#mother, before she ever played another pDart
And I became a little Eterror, I lashed out at whatever's Aaround
Took some time before I C#msettled, to find a mind that was somewhat Dsound
And like it always dEoes, time rushed oAnD  E  
ASix years later father died in the very same bedroom
DMany said it was the grief that did itE  
I have to say it's cause he hung hiAmself
To be honest, neither sister nor myself ever much regret his passinDg
But I admit it was a nice Ething, to always know that we could feed ourseAlves

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Family Portrait

by Radical Face

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

[Intro]

D A

(x2)

So we start with my father as a boy barely spoke a word of English

A E

Fell in love from a distance, he watched her working from the back fence

D A

He learned some words and some clever turns of phrase from his father's book of poets

A E

She wasn't taken in that instant, but grew impressed with his persistence

D E A

They met each other out by moonlight, made love in the nearby woods

C#m

Then her folks became suspicious, when her cycle broke that settled it

D E A

They stole away without their goodbyes, got married in a foreign town

C#m D

Made their way as best as they could. Found jobs and settled down

And then time moved on

[Interlude]

D A

(x2)

I was born in a river of blood on sheets from the wedding day

A E

The room was dark and the stench was thick, my father couldn't stand the smell of it

Mama died in the night cause the nearest doctor couldn't stem the blood loss

A E

Father cried out on the back porch. My sister held me at the neighbor's house

D E A

Oh my there was a storm then, there was a flood of a different kind

C#m D

Father's eyes were often vacant, but his hands were rarely quiet

E A

Sister learned to take her hits well, both from life and the physical kind

C#m D

But I was never one to lie down, despite who picked the fight

So we designed our hells

[Interlude]

A D E

(x2)

D E A

Father turned into a drinker, a dark bastard with a wooden heart

C#m D

Sister learned to be a mother, before she ever played another part

E A

And I became a little terror, I lashed out at whatever's around

C#m D

Took some time before I settled, to find a mind that was somewhat sound

E A D E

And like it always does, time rushed on

Six years later father died in the very same bedroom

D E

Many said it was the grief that did it

I have to say it's cause he hung himself

To be honest, neither sister nor myself ever much regret his passing

E A

But I admit it was a nice thing, to always know that we could feed ourselves

About Family Portrait Chords by Radical Face

Learn how to play Family Portrait by Radical Face with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Family Portrait chords”, “Family Portrait guitar chords”, or “Radical Face Family Portrait chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Family Portrait chords and for experienced players who want accurate Family Portrait lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, E, C#m.

FAQ — Family Portrait by Radical Face

How do I play "Family Portrait" by Radical Face on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Family Portrait" by Radical Face on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Family Portrait" by Radical Face free?

Yes. The chords for "Family Portrait" by Radical Face are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Family Portrait" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Family Portrait" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Family Portrait"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Family Portrait" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Family Portrait" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Family Portrait" by Radical Face with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Radical Face below.

What key is "Family Portrait" in?

The chords for "Family Portrait" show the original chord names (including D, A, E, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.