Papa Loved Mama
Garth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it drove mama crazy being a trucker's wife
The part she couldn't handle was the being alone
I guess she needed more to hold than just a telephone
Papa called Mama each and every night
Just to ask her how she was and if us kids were alright
Mama would wait for that call to come in
When Daddy'd hang up then she was gone again
Lord, how she shined
Papa was a good'n
But the jealous kind
Papa loved Mama
Mama loved men
Mama's in the graveyard
Papa's in the pen
Well, it was bound to happen and one night it did
Papa came home and it was just us kids
He had a dozen roses and a bottle of wine
If he was lookin' to surprise us, he was doin' fine
I heard him cry for mama up and down the hall
Then I heard a bottle break against the bedroom wall
That old diesel engine made an eerie sound
When Papa fired it up and headed into town
Well, the picture in the paper showed the scene real well
Papa's rig was buried in the local motel
The desk clerk said he saw it all real clear
He never hit the brakes when he was shifting gears
Mama was a looker
Lord, how she shined
Papa was a good'n
But the jealous kind
Papa loved Mama
Mama loved men
Mama's in the graveyard
Papa's in the pen
The Garth Brooks song "Papa Loved Mama" tells the story of a man named Papa who drove a truck for most of his life, causing strain on his relationship with his wife, Mama. Despite calling each other every night, the distance proved to be too much, and Mama sought companionship from other men. Papa was a good man but also had jealous tendencies. One day, after coming home with gifts for his family, he discovered Mama with another man and became furious. He leaves in his truck and crashes into a motel while chasing Mama's lover. Both parties end up dead, with Mama buried in the graveyard and Papa in prison.
The lyrics in this song portray a complicated relationship dynamic affected by distance, jealousy, and infidelity. The song also touches on the negative consequences of substance abuse and rash decisions made in response to emotions. The descriptive language adds to the tragic and violent nature of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
Papa drove a truck nearly all his life
Garth Brooks describes Papa's career, which was driving a truck.
You know it drove mama crazy being a trucker's wife
Garth Brooks tells that Mama wasn't really happy being a trucker's wife.
The part she couldn't handle was the being alone
Garth Brooks explains that the reason why Mama was feeling lonely.
I guess she needed more to hold than just a telephone
Garth Brooks suggests that Mama needed more than phone calls to sustain her while Papa was on the road.
Papa called Mama each and every night
Garth Brooks reveals that Papa called Mama every night to check on her and the kids.
Just to ask her how she was and if us kids were alright
Garth Brooks explains that Papa called to make sure Mama and the kids were OK.
Mama would wait for that call to come in
Garth Brooks tells how Mama would eagerly await Papa's nightly phone call.
When Daddy'd hang up then she was gone again
Garth Brooks tells that Mama disappeared as soon Papa hung up the phone.
Mama was a looker
Garth Brooks identifies Mama as being beautiful.
Lord, how she shined
Garth Brooks emphasizes Mama's beauty.
Papa was a good'n
Garth Brooks suggests Papa was a good man.
But the jealous kind
Garth Brooks mentions that Papa had a jealous streak.
Papa loved Mama
Garth Brooks tells that Papa loved Mama.
Mama loved men
Garth Brooks reveals that Mama was unfaithful to Papa.
Mama's in the graveyard
Garth Brooks explains that Mama has died and is buried.
Papa's in the pen
Garth Brooks reveals that Papa is in prison.
Well, it was bound to happen and one night it did
Garth Brooks tells that something was bound to happen, and it occurred one night.
Papa came home and it was just us kids
Garth Brooks explains that when Papa came home, only the kids were there to greet him.
He had a dozen roses and a bottle of wine
Garth Brooks tells that Papa brought roses and wine home.
If he was lookin' to surprise us, he was doin' fine
Garth Brooks suggests that Papa succeeded at surprising his family.
I heard him cry for mama up and down the hall
Garth Brooks reveals that Papa was calling for Mama throughout the house.
Then I heard a bottle break against the bedroom wall
Garth Brooks tells that he heard a bottle breaking against the bedroom wall.
That old diesel engine made an eerie sound
Garth Brooks describes the sound of the truck's engine that Papa started.
When Papa fired it up and headed into town
Garth Brooks explains that Papa left in the truck after starting the engine.
Well, the picture in the paper showed the scene real well
Garth Brooks details that a newspaper article displayed the details about what happened.
Papa's rig was buried in the local motel
Garth Brooks explains that Papa drove his truck into a motel.
The desk clerk said he saw it all real clear
Garth Brooks tells that a desk clerk witnessed the events unfold.
He never hit the brakes when he was shifting gears
Garth Brooks suggests that Papa intended to crash the truck into the motel and didn't apply the brakes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Garth Brooks, Kim Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind