Lady Madonna
The Beatles Lyrics
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Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was Heaven-sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
The Beatles' song "Lady Madonna" is an ode to the hardworking woman who manages to make ends meet despite the challenges thrown at her. The song begins with the image of Lady Madonna, who has children at her feet, and the audience is left to wonder how she manages to support them. This creates an air of empathy towards the singer of the song, who is depicted as a struggling individual, possibly a single mother.
The line "Who finds the money when you pay the rent? Did you think that money was Heaven-sent?" highlights the hardships of the working-class and how they struggle to make ends meet. The song paints a picture of a woman who is constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, such as feeding and raising her children, while also working to provide for her family. The lyrics also depict a sense of community, with phrases such as "See how they run" indicating that Lady Madonna is not alone in her struggles.
Towards the end of the song, the image of Lady Madonna lying on the bed and listening to the music playing in her head shows that she finds solace in music, possibly as a way of escaping from the harsh reality of her situation. Overall, the song portrays the strength and resilience of working-class women who are able to overcome adversity and make ends meet against all odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Addressing a mother who is juggling between taking care of her children and finances
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Amazed at how she is able to cope with the expenses of running a household
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Curiously asking how she is able to pay the rent considering her financial situation
Did you think that money was Heaven-sent?
Questioning whether she believes that money simply appears from nowhere
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
The end of the busy week has arrived without any foresight towards the next week
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Slowly passing morning compared to the sight of a nun that lingers around
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
A child who has learned a basic life skill due to the Mother's teachings
See how they run
Children running around playfully
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
A mother nursing her baby
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Amazed at how she is able to provide food to everyone else in the family
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Repeating nonsensical sounds to create a sing-along atmosphere
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Repeating nonsensical sounds to create a sing-along atmosphere
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Repeating nonsensical sounds to create a sing-along atmosphere
See how they run
Children running around playfully
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
A moment of rest for the Mother
Listen to the music playing in your head
An imaginary music playing in her tired mind
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Time is passing slowly on a mundane Tuesday afternoon
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Unexpected and unusual absence of the morning newspaper
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
Making time to address a minor problem despite the busy schedule
See how they run
Children running around playfully
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Addressing a mother who is juggling between taking care of her children and finances
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Amazed at how she is able to cope with the expenses of running a household
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sophia
Lyrics
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was heaven sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night your stockings needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Alex Müde
Lady Madonna
Children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money
When you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was heaven-sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run
Lady Madonna
Baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Ba-ba-ba-baaa ba-ba ba-ba-baaa
Ba-ba-ba-baaa ba-ba baaa ba-baa ba-baa
Wa-ba-ba-baaa ba-ba ba-ba-baaa
See how they run
Lady Madonna
Lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never endink (ba-ba-ba-baaa)
(Ba-ba ba-ba-baaa)
Wednesday morning papers didn't come (ba-ba-ba-baaa)
(Ba-ba baaa ba-baa ba-baa)
Thursday night your stockings needed mending (ba-ba-ba-baaa)
(Ba-ba ba-ba-baaa)
See how they run
Lady Madonna
Children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Br Greg
Just a perfect little gem of a song. The Beatles had about 150 of them
JFFM730
if youre referencing all of their songs, theres just over 200
Br Greg
@JFFM730 believe me, I know. There’s nothing that can be taught to me about The Beatles. 213 to be exact. I’d say about 10 bad songs and 50 or so ok songs (maybe overplayed).
Joca
I love the mix that Paul and John do with the vocals at the "See how they run' part.
Best line of the song
Absolute masterpiece
Juan R
And George enters with the guitar.
Lisa Parsons
Yes I agree 💯 Beatles awesome group did alot of great songs
M E
I feel like that harmony birthed Steely Dan
krowta
i disagree this is one of the beatles songs i really dont like but the music video is actually kinda good
M E
@krowta lol how to say “I’m a zoomer” without saying it
Max Beale
One of the greatest Beatles songs; love the lyrics, piano and saxophone solo