Mockingbird
Max Stalling Lyrics
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Down at Bee's Golden Bull, absorbing what he offers me
Clinging fast to every word, a scripture for life in immortals terms
A shout able story, spoken in very soft tones.
That's alright now Momma, it's just the miles I swear
Please don't stop your letters and your prayers
That's alright now Momma, don't you cry for me,
Well I remember the words that Toby said, when we visited the spot where they lay Joel to rest
Out in the rocks and dirt of that brown cemetery,
He said, I've dealt with droughts since my very first breath and I'll be damned if I'll do it in death
When I die I wanna be buried where the grass is green
That's alright now Momma, it's just the miles I swear
Please don't stop your letters and your prayers
That's alright now Momma, don't you cry for me,
I'm that mockingbird who is singing in your tree
God Bless me Mary Guadalupe, from your bath-tub shrine
It's been so long since my last confession, I don't know if we've time
Maybe if I drive by each day and shout five confessions as I pass each way
In thirty years or so maybe we'll be catching up
That's alright now Momma, it's just the miles I swear
I am living off of your letters and your prayers
Don't you toss and turn while napping, your boy's out here trying to make it happen
I just get a little worried sometimes over bigger things
That's alright now Momma, don't you weep for me,
I'm that mockingbird who is singing in your tree
Well, I should be in Crystal City
The lyrics to Max Stalling's song "Mockingbird" are a beautiful ode to the singer's mother and the struggles he faces while chasing his dreams away from home. The singer acknowledges the distance between him and his mother and confident that he is doing alright. He should be in Crystal City, drinking coffee with a local at the Golden Bull, but instead, he's away from home. The singer implies that the wisdom he gains from his travels is a testament to his mother's love and guidance.
The singer is reminiscent of a conversation with a friend named Toby, who spoke of wanting to be buried where the grass was green. The singer mentions how he is like a mockingbird singing in his mother's tree, suggesting that his mother's guidance has helped him find his voice, and she is the foundation of all he does, even though he is far away from home, trying to make it happen.
Finally, the singer gives a nod to his faith, mentioning the Virgin Mary and how he will redeem himself with confessions. And though he gets worried about bigger things, it's alright now, Momma. The singer understands that his mother might be worried about him, but he assures her that he is doing okay.
Overall, the song "Mockingbird" is a poignant tribute to a mother's love and the connection between a mother and her child, no matter the distance between them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I should be in Crystal City
I am aware of where I should be right now, but I am not there for reasons unbeknownst to me.
with hr drinking coffee
I would be enjoying a warm beverage with a friend if I were in the proper location.
Down at Bee's Golden Bull, absorbing what he offers me
I would be taking in the knowledge and experiences of those around me at this gathering place.
Clinging fast to every word, a scripture for life in immortals terms
I value the advice I am receiving and am holding onto it tightly, as it will have a lasting impact.
A shout able story, spoken in very soft tones.
The story being told is worth sharing loudly, but is being conveyed quietly and intimately.
That's alright now Momma, it's just the miles I swear
I am informing my mother that my absence is not due to any hardship or danger, just the physical distance between us.
Please don't stop your letters and your prayers
I am urging my mother to continue communicating with me and to keep providing me with her emotional support through prayer.
That's alright now Momma, don't you cry for me,
I am reassuring my mother that I am in good health and spirits and there is no need for her to worry.
I'm that mockingbird who is singing in your tree
I am a source of joy and comfort for my mother, much like a cheerful bird provided relief in a tree's branches.
Well I remember the words that Toby said, when we visited the spot where they lay Joel to rest
I recall the conversation I had with Toby while paying respects to Joel's final resting place.
Out in the rocks and dirt of that brown cemetery,
We were honoring Joel's memory in a somber and unglamorous location.
He said, I've dealt with droughts since my very first breath and I'll be damned if I'll do it in death
Toby expressed his determination to overcome hardship, even in death, after facing it his entire life.
When I die I wanna be buried where the grass is green
Toby desires to be laid to rest in a peaceful, natural spot where the scenery is beautiful and calming.
God Bless me Mary Guadalupe, from your bath-tub shrine
I am reaching out in prayer to Mary Guadalupe, a religious figure, for her blessing and guidance.
It's been so long since my last confession, I don't know if we've time
I am uncertain if I will be able to properly confess my sins to Mary Guadalupe due to the amount of time that has passed.
Maybe if I drive by each day and shout five confessions as I pass each way
I am coming up with a creative solution to make up for lost time and attempt to absolve my sins by vocalizing confessions while passing by a religious shrine daily.
In thirty years or so maybe we'll be catching up
I am humorously setting an unrealistic timeline for myself to catch up on a backlog of confessions.
I am living off of your letters and your prayers
I am relying heavily on my mother's emotional support to sustain me while I am away from home.
Don't you toss and turn while napping, your boy's out here trying to make it happen
I am encouraging my mother to rest easy and not worry while I am working hard to achieve my goals.
I just get a little worried sometimes over bigger things
Although I am striving to succeed, I sometimes worry about larger, more complex issues that may affect my future.
That's alright now Momma, don't you weep for me,
I am reminding my mother that there is no cause for her to shed tears on my behalf.
I'm that mockingbird who is singing in your tree
I am a symbol of hope and happiness for my mother, providing her with joy and comfort even while we are apart.
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.