Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. She grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.

The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.

A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.

Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau, and has also opened for the Decemberists, Akron/Family and Vashti Bunyan. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. According to a relatively recent interview, her second album is to be expected shortly. She now lives in Nevada City, California.

She toured Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.

Oh! My Mama
Alela Diane Lyrics

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Oh, my mama
She gave me these feathered breaths
Oh, my mama
She told me "use your voice
My little bird"

She said sing, sing, sing, sing, sing, sing melodies
And she sang, sang, sang, sang, sang, sang melodies

Oh, my mama
She did give me fancy feet, I'll be dancing on
And I'll tap, tap, tap my toes
Into those creaking floorboards

Oh, my mama
She took my little hand and held on tight
Oh, the mamas
Give the waters of their wells
Oh, the mamas
Give the babies this very dirt we're walking on
Oh, my mama
She gave me these feathered breaths
And your mama
She gave you those feathered breaths too

And when the sky drops all those feathers
And when the birds sing in the morning
I'll be a mama
I'll have a daughter
I'll be a mama
I'll have a daughter

And I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies

I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies
I'll give her melodies

And she'll be
My little bird
And then she'll fly
She'll fly

She'll fly
Oh, she'll fly

Overall Meaning

Alela Diane's song "Oh! My Mama" is a beautiful tribute to the powerful influence of matriarchal figures in our lives. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the gift of life that her mother has given her. She refers to her breaths as "feathered," suggesting a lightness and delicacy that her mother's influence has imparted to her. The idea of lightness is further reinforced by the fact that her mother tells her to "use [her] voice" just like a little bird, and to sing melodies. The metaphor of a bird suggests both fragility and freedom, and the idea of singing melodies is a way of expressing oneself and experiencing the world without reservation.

Diane goes on to talk about how her mother taught her to dance as well. The imagery of "fancy feet" and "creaking floorboards" creates a sense of joyful movement and a close bond between mother and daughter. The idea of the mother holding her daughter's hand tightly suggests both protection and guidance. The line "the waters of their wells" reinforces the idea that mothers provide sustenance and nourishment--not just in the literal sense, but also in terms of emotional support and guidance. The idea of being given the "very dirt we're walking on" evokes a sense of connectedness to the earth and its cycles.

Towards the end of the song, Diane looks towards the future and imagines herself as a mother. She plans to pass on the same gifts that her mother gave her--the ability to sing melodies, the joy of movement, and the sense of connection to something greater than oneself. The repetition of the line "I'll give her melodies" reinforces the idea that music is a vital part of passing on one's heritage and sense of self. The metaphor of the daughter as a little bird who will one day fly on her own is a poignant way of acknowledging the transformative power of motherhood and the passage of time.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, my mama
Introducing Alela Diane's mother, who has given her many gifts in life.

She gave me these feathered breaths
Referring to her voice as a singer, which was gifted to her by her mother.

She told me "use your voice My little bird"
Alela's mother encouraged her to use her singing voice and soar, much like a bird.

She said sing, sing, sing, sing, sing, sing melodies
Repeating what her mother said, emphasizing the importance of singing and creating beautiful melodies.

And she sang, sang, sang, sang, sang, sang melodies
Alela's mother also sang and modeled the importance of melodies in their family.

She did give me fancy feet, I'll be dancing on
Alela's mother also gave her the gift of dance, which she uses and cherishes.

And I'll tap, tap, tap my toes Into those creaking floorboards
Alela loves to dance and does so with enthusiasm, even in old, creaky buildings.

She took my little hand and held on tight
As a mother, Alela's mother held her hand and provided guidance and support when she needed it.

Give the waters of their wells
Mothers have a deep well of love and nurturing that they give to their children.

Give the babies this very dirt we're walking on
Mothers provide everything for their children, even the ground they walk on.

And your mama She gave you those feathered breaths too
Acknowledging that everyone has a mother who gave them the gift of life and unique talents.

And when the sky drops all those feathers
Reference to the beautiful and unique qualities of life that we are given.

And when the birds sing in the morning
The beauty of life can be seen and heard in the natural world, such as birds singing in the morning.

I'll be a mama I'll have a daughter
Looking forward to being a mother and passing down her gifts to a daughter.

And I'll give her melodies
Just as her mother gave her melodies, Alela wants to pass down the gift of music to her daughter.

And then she'll fly She'll fly She'll fly Oh, she'll fly
Alela hopes that her daughter, like a bird, will soar and use her gifts to lead a beautiful life.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALELA DIANE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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