Cruel Mother
Hack-Poets Guild Lyrics
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All alone and aloney
At first it bent and then it broke
Down by the green wood side
She leaned herself against a thorn
All alone and aloney
And there she had two fine babes born
Down by the green wood side
She pulled out her snow white breast
All alone and aloney
She bid them a-suck for it would be the last
Down by the green wood side
She pulled down her yellow hair
All alone and aloney
And she bound it around their little hands and feet
Down by the green wood side
She pulled out her little penknife
All alone and aloney
And she pierced all in their little tender hearts
Down by the green wood side
She was sitting in her father’s hall
All alone and aloney
She saw her babes a playing with their ball
Down by the green wood side
Oh babes O babes if you were mine
All alone and aloney
I would dress you in the silk so fine
Down by the green wood side
O mother O mother when we were thine
All alone and aloney
You neither dressed us in the course silk nor fine
Down by the green wood side
The lyrics of the song "Cruel Mother" by Hack-Poets Guild tell a haunting tale of a mother's descent into cruelty and the tragic consequences that follow. The story begins with the mother leaning against an oak tree, feeling isolated and alone. The imagery of the oak tree bending and breaking suggests vulnerability and a sense of impending tragedy.
In the second verse, the mother leans against a thorn, which symbolizes pain and hardship. It is here that she gives birth to two beautiful babies, representing the innocence and purity of life. However, the choice of the thorn as a setting foreshadows the suffering that is to come.
As the song progresses, the mother's actions become increasingly violent and disturbing. She pulls out her snow-white breast and encourages her babies to suckle, knowing that it will be their last time. This act can be interpreted as a desperate attempt to provide comfort and nurture before the impending tragedy.
The mother then binds her yellow hair around her babies' hands and feet. This image portrays a sense of control and possession, illustrating the mother's delusion and obsession. The subsequent stabbing of her children's tender hearts with a penknife is a chilling act of violence, representing the ultimate betrayal of a parent's love.
The final verse takes a surprising twist as the mother sits in her father's hall and sees her children playing. Here, the children address the mother, expressing a longing for her love and care. They acknowledge that she failed to dress them in fine silk, indicating that she neglected their emotional needs and failed to provide them with a nurturing environment.
The lyrics of "Cruel Mother" speak to themes of isolation, cruelty, and the devastating consequences of neglect and abuse. Through vivid imagery and storytelling, the song serves as a cautionary tale, reminding listeners of the importance of love, care, and tenderness in the relationships between parents and children.
Line by Line Meaning
She leaned herself against an oak
She sought support from a sturdy oak tree
All alone and aloney
Feeling isolated and lonely
At first it bent and then it broke
Initially offering some stability, but eventually collapsing
Down by the green wood side
In the vicinity of the peaceful green forest
She leaned herself against a thorn
She relied on something sharp and painful
And there she had two fine babes born
She gave birth to two beautiful children
She pulled out her snow white breast
She revealed her pure and nurturing bosom
She bid them a-suck for it would be the last
She encouraged them to suckle, knowing it would be their final nourishment
And she bound it around their little hands and feet
She wrapped her hair around their small limbs
She pulled down her yellow hair
She let down her golden locks
And she bound it around their little hands and feet
She secured her hair around their delicate hands and feet
She pulled out her little penknife
She retrieved a small knife
And she pierced all in their little tender hearts
She stabbed their innocent and fragile hearts
She was sitting in her father’s hall
She found herself within her father's residence
She saw her babes a playing with their ball
She witnessed her children happily playing with their ball
Oh babes O babes if you were mine
Oh my dear children, if only I could claim you as my own
I would dress you in the silk so fine
I would adorn you in the finest silk clothing
O mother O mother when we were thine
Oh mother, oh mother, when we belonged to you
You neither dressed us in the coarse silk nor fine
You never provided us with either rough or luxurious garments
Down by the green wood side
In the vicinity of the peaceful green forest
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Lisa Knapp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind