Jim James, or sometimes Yim Yames (actual name James Edward Olliges, Jr.) i… Read Full Bio ↴Jim James, or sometimes Yim Yames (actual name James Edward Olliges, Jr.) is an American vocalist, guitarist, producer, and primary songwriter of the rock band My Morning Jacket. James is also a member of the Indie super group Monsters of Folk.

James occasionally plays solo shows (often with Carl Broemel on Guitar & Pedal Steel), showcasing "bare-bones" versions of My Morning Jacket songs along with various covers. Notably, James (with Broemel) supported John Prine for several shows in late summer 2006.

Of the Mother Again
Jim James Lyrics

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Nothing ever stays like it was in the beginning
As time moves thru we must chose to renew to begin again
No song ever plays nothing ever stays the same way for too long
Good or bad, short and sweet, skip a beat, close your eyes and it's gone

Oh destiny
To be seated at the right hand of the mother again
Oh sweet relief

To know our effort pleases him

Been doing all we can to just stand
To just stand for what's right on our own
Doing what it takes, day by day
In our own way to make this earth feel like home
Even tho spirit soul knows it's free to just be
To just wander and roam

Oh destiny!
To be seated at the right hand of the mother again
Oh sweet relief!

To know our effort pleases him, destiny
Looking for gold

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jim James's song "Of the Mother Again" speak to the human desire for renewal and the cyclical nature of life. The opening lines acknowledge the impermanence of all things, stating that "nothing ever stays like it was in the beginning." However, this impermanence is not a cause for despair- instead, the song encourages listeners to embrace change and choose to begin again in the face of the constant passage of time. The lines "No song ever plays, nothing ever stays the same way for too long" underscore this idea of constant movement and change.

The chorus of the song speaks to a higher power- "the mother"- and a desire to please this entity with our efforts in life. The lines "Oh destiny/To be seated at the right hand of the mother again/Oh sweet relief/To know our effort pleases him" suggest that there is comfort to be found in the belief that our actions have meaning and that our efforts are seen and valued by some greater force.

The final verse of the song focuses on the human struggle to do what is right in a world that is often chaotic and difficult. The lines "Doing what it takes day by day/In our own way to make this earth feel like home" imply that it is up to each person to contribute to the world in their own unique way, with the ultimate goal of building a sense of belonging and community for all.

Overall, "Of the Mother Again" is a song that speaks to the human need for meaning and purpose in the face of impermanence and the passage of time. It encourages listeners to embrace change, do what is right, and find comfort in the belief that our efforts are not in vain.

Line by Line Meaning

Nothing ever stays like it was in the beginning
The nature of everything is to change over time and nothing stays the same as it was during its initial state

As time moves through we must choose to renew, to begin again
In order to cope with change, it is important that we renew ourselves and start anew

No song every plays, nothing ever stays the same way for too long
Things keep changing and evolving, and this is true for everything in our lives including memories and experiences, which does not last forever

Good or bad, short or sweet skip a beat close your eyes and it's gone
Whether experiences are good or bad, they are always fleeting and do not last forever

Oh destiny
The expectation or fate beyond our control

To be seated at the right hand of the mother again
To feel comforted and secure in the maternal embrace, a symbol of peace and safety

Oh sweet relief
A feeling of calm or ease that relieves stress or anxiety

To know our effort pleases him
To recognize that our effort is appreciated, and our work is being acknowledged by a higher power or authority

Were doing all we can to just stand, to just stand for whats right all along
Despite the ups and downs of life, we try to stay strong and do the right thing in our lives

Doing what it takes day by day
Working hard every day to reach our goals

In our own way to make this earth feel like home
Trying to make the planet feel more like home by working on it continuously through our actions

Even though, spirit soul, knows it's free to just be, to just wander along
Even though we have a purpose in life, our souls are free to wander and explore the world with an open mind

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: James Olliges Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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