Streep made her movie debut in 1977's Julia. Both critical and commercial success came quickly with roles in The Deer Hunter and Kramer vs. Kramer, the former giving Streep her first Oscar nomination and the latter giving her her first win.
Streep has proved she is also a well trained singer through several stage productions, charity recordings and in certain movies, including Postcards From The Edge, Death Becomes Her, A Prairie Home Companion, and Mamma Mia!
Stay With Me
Meryl Streep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Children should listen
No, no, please
What were you not to do
Children must see
No
Why could you not obey
Children should listen
What have I been to you
What would you have me be
Handsome like a Prince
Ah, but I am old
I am ugly
I embarrass you
No
You are ashamed of me
No
You are ashamed
You don't understand
I am no longer a child, I wish to see the world
Don't you know what's out there in the world
Someone has to shield you from the world
Stay with me
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Stay at home
I am home
Who out there could love you more than I
What out there that I cannot supply
Stay with me
Stay with me
The world is dark and wild
Stay a child while you can be a child
With me
The song "Stay with Me" by Meryl Streep is a moving and emotional ballad that shares the struggles of a mother's relationship with her child. The lyrics of the song describe a conversation between a mother and child, with the mother pleading with the child to stay with her and not venture into the dangerous world outside.
The opening lyrics, "What did I clearly say, children should listen. No, no please, what were you not to do, children must see, no and learn," depict the mother's frustration with her child's lack of listening and understanding. She knows that children need guidance, and she implores her child to heed her warnings and take note of what they must do to survive.
The mother then goes on to try and understand why her child is so adamant about leaving, saying "Why could you not obey, children should listen. What have I been to you, what would you have me be, handsome like a prince? Ah, but I am old, I am ugly, I embarrass you." Here, the mother recognizes that she's not perfect, but she wants her child to see her for who she is and love her all the same. Even if she's not as glamorous as a prince in a fairy tale, she wants her child to stay by her side.
The song is a touching tale of the bond between a mother and child, and it is something that many people can relate to. It's a reminder that even if we feel imperfect, we are still loved, and the love of a parent for a child is unconditional.
Line by Line Meaning
What did I clearly say
I communicated something clearly
Children should listen
Children must pay attention and take heed of what they are told
No, no, please
A plea to stop doing something
What were you not to do
An inquiry into what rules were broken
Children must see
Children must witness things to understand them fully
No
A negative response
And learn
Continuing instruction to gain knowledge
Why could you not obey
Stated frustration with disobedience
What have I been to you
An inquiry about the relationship between speaker and listener
What would you have me be
A question about desired qualities
Handsome like a Prince
Comparable to traditional fairytale princes
Ah, but I am old
Stated fact about age
I am ugly
Stated reflection on physical appearance
I embarrass you
Recognition of causing shame in listener
No
A denial of a previous statement
You are ashamed of me
A statement of the listener's feeling
No
Another denial
You are ashamed
Affirmation of the listener's situation
You don't understand
A statement of misunderstanding
I am no longer a child, I wish to see the world
Acknowledgment of personal growth and desire for exploration
Don't you know what's out there in the world
A rhetorical question about the dangers of the world
Someone has to shield you from the world
A statement that there are dangers outside and someone needs to protect the listener
Stay with me
Plea for listener to remain close
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
Stated fact about traditional fairytale endings
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Acknowledgment that not everything in the world is good
Stay at home
Advice to remain in a safe space
I am home
Statement of location and feeling of being safe
Who out there could love you more than I
Statement of care and affection
What out there that I cannot supply
A question about what is missing from their relationship
Stay with me
Repeat plea for the listener to remain close
Stay with me
Repeat plea for the listener to remain close
The world is dark and wild
Acknowledgment of the dangers of the world
Stay a child while you can be a child
Advice to remain innocent while it is still possible
With me
Clarification that the artist is the safe place for the listener
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr.NoUsername
Watching this scene in the movie theatre made me want to cry, especially since my mom was sitting near my seat. Flashbacks of all the things I had done in the past that made her disappointed and sad flashed through my mind like lightning and my heart was being crushed emotionally. In that one scene, it made me reflect on everything I done in the past that had disappointed my mom and the guilt built up inside that leaked out in the form of tears, I almost wanted to hug my mom and just cry in her arms right then and there as a way of telling her "I'm sorry"
Stay at home
Mom is home
Who could love you more than mother?
Stay with her
Stay a child while you can be a child
With her
No matter how grown you are, you are still momma's little boy/girl. Stay her child and show your appreciation while you still can with her
Sincerely Amayah
lyrics cuz i’m jammin:
What did I clearly say?
Children should listen
No, no, please!
What were you not to do?
Childrem must see
No!
And learn
Why could you not obey?
Children should listen
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be?
Handsome like a prince?
Ah, but I am old
I am ugly
I embarass you
No!
You are ashamed of me
No!
You are ashamed
You don't understand
It was lonely atop that tower
I was not company enough?
I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world
Stay with me
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Stay at home
I am home
Who out there could love you more than I?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me
Stay with me
The world is dark and wild
Stay a child while you can be a child
With me
林容安
LYRICS
Witch:
What did I clearly say?
Children must listen.
Rapunzel:
No, please!
Witch:
What were you not to do?
Children must see-
Rapunzel:
No!
Witch:
And learn.
Why could you not obey?
Children should listen.
What have I been to you?
What would you have me be?
Handsome like a Prince?
Ah, but I am old.
I am ugly.
I embarrass you.
Rapunzel:
No!
Witch:
You are ashamed of me.
Rapunzel:
No!
Witch:
You are ashamed.
You don't understand.
Rapunzel:
I'm no longer a child. I wish to see the world.
Witch:
Don't you know what's out there in the world?
Someone has to shield you from the world.
Stay with me
Princes wait there in the world, it's true.
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too.
Stay at home.
I am home.
Who out there could love you more than I ?
What out there that I cannot supply?
Stay with me.
Stay with me,
The world is dark and wild.
Stay a child while you can be a child.
With me.
I gave you protection.
And yet you disobey me.
Rapunzel:
No! You...
Witch:
Your prince will never lay eye on you again.
He will never lay eyeon at anything again.
Rapunzel:
What did you do to him!
Witch:
It doesn't matter.
Because where you're going no one can ever see you again!
Rapunzel:
No!No......no!
doddleoddle
Oh just LISTEN to that raw emotion. Absolutely brilliant.
Paint
:] oh hi!
Super StarQ
I totally agree
Alice
Totally agree with you Dodie! Can't wait! :)
Rowan Colleary
Alice Crook I have scene the film and Meryl's acting is extraordinary and this scene is great!
Myth1cPhantom
***** Jon i didn't know you were a Sondheim fan.
Priscilla Paizakis
I love that she puts wolves and humans on the same level of evil. It is extremely accurate.
Nicole Song
Actually, wolves are probably less evil than humans (as a collective).
CreativeUsernameEh
Wolves aren't capable of as much evil (or good!) as humans. They're just wolves.
hellfirehoeclub
wolves arent evil tho :( they get such a bad rap