Mama Who Bore Me
Hanna Kastner Lyrics


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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

Some say that one day
Christ will come a calling
Light a candle
And hope that it glows

And some just lie there crying
For him to come and find them
But when he does they don′t know how to go

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

Overall Meaning

The song "Mama Who Bore Me" by Hanna Kastner is a powerful and emotional expression of pain and confusion that comes from feeling lost and alone in the world. It speaks to the struggle of growing up without guidance or direction, and touches on themes of abandonment, despair, and hopelessness.


The lyrics suggest a deep longing for a maternal figure who can provide comfort and guidance in the difficult moments of life. The singer feels helpless and overwhelmed, lacking the ability to cope with the challenges that come their way. The line "no way to handle things" emphasizes the sense of powerlessness that comes with feeling unsupported and directionless.


Despite referencing religious figures such as angels and Christ, the song does not offer a clear solution or comfort to the singer's pain. The line "No sleep in heaven or Bethlehem" suggests that even the afterlife may not offer refuge from the pain of existence.


Overall, "Mama Who Bore Me" is a poignant and honest expression of the struggles that come with growing up without proper guidance, and the yearning for a sense of purpose and belonging in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Mama who bore me
The woman who brought me into this world


Mama who gave me
The woman who provided me with life and sustenance


No way to handle things
No guidance or instruction on how to deal with life's challenges


Who made me so sad
Who caused me to experience deep emotional pain


Mama the weeping
The woman who frequently sheds tears


Mama the angels
The woman who is like an angel in my life


No sleep in heaven
The afterlife is not a place of rest or peace


Or Bethlehem
Or the birthplace of Jesus, which represents both new beginnings and difficulties


Some say that one day
There are those who believe that someday


Christ will come a calling
Jesus will return to Earth


Light a candle
Perform a symbolic act of hope and faith


And hope that it glows
Expect that the flame will burn steadily and brightly


And some just lie there crying
Others simply lay down and weep


For him to come and find them
Waiting for Jesus to rescue them from their troubles


But when he does they don′t know how to go
Once Jesus arrives to help them, they don't know how to move on




Writer(s): Steven Sater, Duncan Sheik

Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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