Ein Junge Namens Susi (A Boy Named Sue)

Yes, my old man burned out when I was four,
and he didn't leave us much, my mother and me,
just this guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
I didn't hold it against him because he just disappeared
but one thing he did before he left
he baptized me as Sue.

At first, I thought it was a bad joke
But then it filled me with deep pain
Because people laughed at me all the time.
A girl cackled and I turned red
And some guy laughed and I beat him half to death
Life is not easy for a boy named Sue.

But I grew up quickly and I grew strong
and my muscles were hard, but my cash was scarce
and I was full of shame in everything I did.
And I swore to myself under the moon and the stars
to search all the pubs and taverns
to kill the one who gave me this name.

And I came to Blankenburg, which is near the Brocken
and my feet were swollen and my throat was dry
looking for his gun, but I drew mine
and he sat there, looked at me, and started to grin.

He said: "Son, this world is rough"
and those who survive are tough and smart
and I couldn't help you, not for a day.
And I also knew, you couldn't inherit anything from me
you would survive or you would die
and it was your name that made you so strong.
You fought well, like an old pike
and I know you hate me, and you're right
if you kill me, who would have less right than you.
But first you must thank me before I die
for your strength, because that is my legacy
because I'm the bastard, I gave you your name Sue".

What should I do, could I do, thought, lowered my gun
everyone says he didn't want it that way
because he was my father and we understood each other in a moment.
And I think of him many times
everyone is sometimes at the peak and sometimes in the valley
and if I ever have a son, his name will be Justin or Mathias, but never Sue.