Lady Madonna
Fats Domino Lyrics

Lady Madonna children at your feet
The singer is a mother, and her children are at her feet, symbolizing dependence and neediness.

Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
The children are aware of their mother's struggles, and are curious about how she is able to provide for them despite financial difficulties.

Now who finds the money when you pay the rent
The family's source of income is unclear, as they struggle to afford basic necessities like housing.

Did you think that money was heaven sent
The mother questions whether or not money is a form of divine intervention, given that the family struggles to obtain it.

Friday night arrives without no suitcase
The artist is too poor to leave or travel during the weekends, suggesting that the family's financial woes limit their ability to explore.

Sunday morning creeping like a nun
The mother spends Sundays at home, unable to afford anything beyond the simplest of pleasures, and lives a life characterized by isolation and simplicity.

Monday's child has learned to tie his boot lace
Despite poverty, the family is able to teach their children important life skills, such as tying one's shoes or dressing oneself.

See how they run
The children's curiosity and activity compared to their mother's isolation suggests the different realities of childhood and adult life.

Lady Madonna lying cross your bed
The mother is exhausted from her daily struggles to provide for her family, and lies in bed as a symbol of her vulnerability and need for rest.

Listen to the music playing in your head
While the mother is physically tired and limited, she still maintains a rich inner world that allows her to keep going, even in the face of adversity.

Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Days can feel long and unending for the mother, as she struggles to juggle the responsibilities of parenthood and financial constraint.

Wednesday morning papers didn't come
The mother's sense of routine is disrupted when even small things, like the daily arrival of a newspaper, don't go as expected.

Thursday night your stocks needed mending
The mother has to devote time and resources to tasks that might seem trivial or unimportant, like sewing clothes or fixing household items, just to maintain a basic standard of living.

Lady Madonna children at your breast
The image of the mother breastfeeding her children highlights her physical and emotional connection to them, despite the difficulties that come with being a parent.

Wonder how you manage to feed the rest
The children question how their mother is able to continue providing for them, despite the odds and the daily struggles they witness firsthand.