If you have songs tagged with "Spring Awakening" as artist change it to this artist as they are the composer and lyricist for that musical.
Mama Who Bore Me
Duncan Sheik & Steven Sater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama who bore me
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things, who made me so sad
Mama, the weeping
Mama, the angels
No sleep in Heaven or Bethlehem
They light a candle and hope that it glows
And some just lie there cryin' for Him to come and find them
But when He comes, they don't know how to go
Mama who bore me
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things, who made me so bad
Mama, the weeping
Mama, the angels
No sleep in Heaven or Bethlehem
The lyrics of the song “Mama Who Bore Me” are about the struggles of a young woman, Wendla, who feels abandoned and lost in a world that does not provide her with the guidance and support she needs. The first stanza is a lament to her mother, who brought her into the world but did not prepare her for the harsh realities of life. She feels helpless and overwhelmed, unable to deal with the challenges that come her way. Wendla sees her mother as a source of weeping and despair, rather than comfort and solace.
The second stanza shifts to a more universal perspective, as Wendla reflects on the different ways people cope with their pain and suffering. She describes some who pray for salvation, hoping that Christ will come and rescue them. Others simply cry out for help, but when it comes, they do not know how to accept it. The theme of lostness and confusion continues, as Wendla seeks meaning and purpose in a world that feels meaningless and unforgiving.
Overall, the song captures the angst and turmoil of adolescence, as young people grapple with the challenges of growing up and finding their place in the world. It speaks to the universal human longing for love and belonging, and the desperate need for guidance and support in a world that can sometimes feel cold and indifferent.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama who bore me
Mother who gave birth to me
Mama who gave me
Mother who provided for me
No way to handle things, who made me so sad
There is no proper way to cope with life, which causes me profound sadness
Mama, the weeping
Mother who constantly cries
Mama, the angels
Mother who is pure-hearted and pure-spirited
No sleep in Heaven or Bethlehem
There is no rest or peace, even in holy or blessed places
Some pray that one day, Christ will come a-callin'
Some people hope that someday Jesus will return to save them
They light a candle and hope that it glows
They try to find hope in the midst of darkness
And some just lie there cryin' for Him to come and find them
Some people feel completely lost and hopeless and only want to be saved by Jesus
But when He comes, they don't know how to go
But even if Jesus were to come, they wouldn't know what to do or how to act
Mama who bore me
Mother who gave birth to me
Mama who gave me
Mother who provided for me
No way to handle things, who made me so bad
There is no right way to adjust to life, which makes me a flawed individual
Mama, the weeping
Mother who constantly cries
Mama, the angels
Mother who is pure-hearted and pure-spirited
No sleep in Heaven or Bethlehem
There is no peace or rest, even in holy or blessed places
Contributed by Aubrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.