Mama Who Bore Me
Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater Lyrics
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Mamma who gave me
No way to handle things
Who made me so sad
Mamma, the weeping
Mamma, the Angels
No sleep in Heaven
Some pray that one day, Christ will come a'-callin'
They light a candle and hope that it glows
And some just lie there crying for Him to come and find them
But when He comes they don't know how to go
Mamma who bore me
Mamma who gave me
No way to handle things
Who made me so bad
Mamma, the weeping
Mamma, the Angels
No sleep in Heaven
Or Bethlehem
The song "Mama Who Bore Me" by Duncan Sheik is a melancholic reflection on the struggles of one's life and the lack of a supportive maternal figure to guide them through it. The lyrics delve into the emotions that arise from feelings of isolation and abandonment by a mother who cannot provide guidance and emotional support. The repetition of the phrase "Mamma who bore me" emphasizes the singer's longing for that missing mother-figure, and the lyrics suggest that this absence has left the singer feeling unprepared and emotionally vulnerable. The use of religious images, such as Bethlehem and the angels, points to the universal desire for guidance and spiritual comfort in life's difficult moments.
The chorus of the song expresses the characters' frustration with their upbringing and how they feel let down by the person supposed to guide them. The line "No way to handle things" emphasises the importance of having a maternal figure who can provide guidance when dealing with life's difficulties. It is interesting to note how the song is sung in a very sorrowful and sombre manner, which conveys a sense of sadness and helplessness in the singer's life. Additionally, it is also noteworthy to mention the use of other religious images such as "Christ will come a-call", which further emphasises the longing for guidance and comfort in life's difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Mamma who bore me
The mother who gave me birth
Mamma who gave me
The mother who raised me and provided me with everything
No way to handle things
I was never taught how to deal with the difficult situations in life
Who made me so sad
The circumstances of my life have caused me immense sadness and pain
Mamma, the weeping
The image of my mother crying and feeling her own pain
Mamma, the Angels
The maternal figure watching over me and offering me guidance and protection
No sleep in Heaven
Even in heaven, I can't escape my troubles and worries
Or Bethlehem
A place of great importance and significance, where I still can't find peace
Some pray that one day, Christ will come a'-callin'
Many people hope for a divine intervention - a relief or a miracle to change their lives
They light a candle and hope that it glows
A symbolic gesture of faith and hope that things will improve
And some just lie there crying for Him to come and find them
Some people feel so lost and helpless that they can only hope for divine help to find them
But when He comes they don't know how to go
Even if help does arrive, some people don't know how to accept it or turn their lives around
Mamma who bore me
The mother who gave me life and suffers with me through my struggles
Mamma who gave me
The mother who gave me everything she could, but still couldn't protect me from everything
No way to handle things
The feeling of helplessness and lack of skills to face real-life challenges
Who made me so bad
The life experiences and circumstances that have negatively impacted my personality and mental state
Mamma, the weeping
The analogy of my mother's tears representing the pain and suffering of the world
Mamma, the Angels
The maternal figure that watches over me, even in the darkest times - giving me hope and strength
No sleep in Heaven
The idea that even in an afterlife, the pain and suffering can continue
Or Bethlehem
The place where Jesus, a symbol of hope and salvation, was born - yet the world is still plagued by struggles and hardships
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN SATER, DUNCAN SHEIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dani KM
I love remy <3 she was awesome in spring awakening. wonderful voice :)