Rock And Roll Lullaby
Barry Mann Lyrics


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She was just sixteen and all alone when I came to be
So we grew up together, my mama-child and me
Now things were bad and she was scared but whenever I would cry
She'd calm my fear and dry my tears
With a rock and roll lullaby

And she'd sing
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, it'll be all right
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, just hold on tight
Sing it to me, mama
My, my, my, my mama
Sing it sweet and clear, oh mama let me hear
That old rock and roll lullaby

We made it through the lonely days but, Lord, the nights were long
And we'd dream of better mornin's when mama sang a song
Now I can't recall the words at all, it don't make sense to try
'cause I just knew lotsa love came through
In that rock and roll lullaby

And she'd sing
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, it'll be all right
Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, just hold on tight
I can hear ya, mama
My, my, my, my mama
Nothin' moves my soul like the sound of the good old
Rock and roll lullaby

Just hold on tight
My, my, my, my mama




Nothin' moves my soul like the sound of the good old
Rock and roll lullaby

Overall Meaning

Barry Mann's Rock And Roll Lullaby is a tender and nostalgic song about a child and his mother, who have grown up together. The lyrics are deeply emotional, reflecting on the hard times they faced together and the hope that the future holds. The song begins with the child being born to a scared and lonely sixteen-year-old girl, who would become his mother. As they grew up together, things were difficult for them, but whenever the child would cry, his mother would soothe him with a rock and roll lullaby.


The chorus of the song consists of the mother singing a simple refrain - "Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, it'll be all right / Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, just hold on tight" - which becomes the rock and roll lullaby that he falls asleep to every night. The lyrics capture the love and comfort that the mother and child share, despite the challenges they have faced.


As they navigate their difficulties together, they dream of better times ahead. Even though the child cannot recall the words of the lullaby, he remembers the feeling that it brought - a sense of love and safety.


Overall, Rock And Roll Lullaby is a touching song that celebrates the enduring bond between a mother and her child, as well as the power of music to soothe the soul.


Line by Line Meaning

She was just sixteen and all alone when I came to be
When I was born, my mother was just sixteen years old and had to raise me alone.


So we grew up together, my mama-child and me
We grew up together and formed a close bond, like siblings rather than mother and child.


Now things were bad and she was scared but whenever I would cry
My mother was going through a tough time and was scared, but she always comforted me when I was upset.


She'd calm my fear and dry my tears
She would soothe my fears and wipe away my tears with her love and care.


With a rock and roll lullaby
She would sing me a lively, upbeat song to comfort me and help me sleep.


And she'd sing Sha-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, it'll be all right
Her song would include simple but comforting lyrics to reassure me that everything would be okay.


Sing it to me, mama
I would ask my mother to sing me her special song to help me feel safe and loved.


My, my, my, my mama Sing it sweet and clear, oh mama let me hear That old rock and roll lullaby
I loved to hear my mother's beautiful singing voice and her comforting lyrics of her rock and roll lullaby.


We made it through the lonely days but, Lord, the nights were long
Although we struggled during the day, the nights felt especially lonely and difficult.


And we'd dream of better mornin's when mama sang a song
Listening to my mother's song gave us hope for a better future and inspired us to keep going.


Now I can't recall the words at all, it don't make sense to try
I can't remember the specific lyrics of my mother's song, but it doesn't matter because the feeling and love behind it is what I remember most.


'cause I just knew lotsa love came through In that rock and roll lullaby
The song was a powerful symbol of the love and connection between me and my mother, and that's what made it so special.


I can hear ya, mama
Even now, I can still remember and hear the sound of my mother's voice when she sang me her rock and roll lullaby.


Nothin' moves my soul like the sound of the good old Rock and roll lullaby
The emotional impact of my mother's song has stayed with me my entire life and continues to comfort and inspire me.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUDDY BUIE, J COBB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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