Stay With Me
Pamela Winslow 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 Pamela Winslow is a conversation between a mother figure and her child who is yearning to explore the world. However, the mother is trying to protect her child from external harms and the cruelty of the world. In the first few lines of the song, the mother asks the child to listen and learn. The mother wants the child to understand that they must follow certain rules and guidelines for their well being. The child is not happy with being told what to do and the mother becomes more aggressive in her demands for obedience. The mother then reminds the child that staying home and being protected is the safest thing, as there are not only princes in the world but also wolves and humans, emphasizing the dangers outside. The child insists he is no longer a child and wants to see the world, but the mother pleads with the child to stay with her and not venture out into the darkness and chaos of the world.
The song highlights the struggles of a mother being protective of her child and wanting to shield them from harm. In the second half of the song, the mother questions the child's love for her and the fact that the child may be ashamed of her. The mother wants the child to know that no one else will love them as much as she does and that she can provide everything the child needs within the comfort of their home. She ends the song with a request for the child to stay with her and not be influenced by the outside world. The mother’s love and concern for the child’s well being are the driving factors behind the lyrics of this song.
Line by Line Meaning
What did I clearly say
I have already explained something clearly, but you don't seem to understand.
Children should listen
Children should pay attention to what they are told.
No, no, please
I am begging you not to do something.
What were you not to do
You were specifically told not to do something, but it seems you have done it anyway.
Children must see
Children should be exposed to the world around them so they can learn and grow.
No
I strongly disagree with what has been said.
And learn
Children should explore and experience new things to gain knowledge and understanding.
Why could you not obey
You were asked to do something and you chose not to do it, which is not acceptable.
What have I been to you
I have played an important role in your life and provided you with love and support.
What would you have me be
I am willing to do whatever it takes to be the kind of person you want in your life.
Handsome like a Prince
You have certain expectations of what someone should look like or be like, based on fairytales and stories.
Ah, but I am old
I am not young anymore and my age may be a factor in how you perceive me.
I am ugly
You may not find me physically attractive or pleasing to look at.
I embarrass you
My actions or behavior may cause you to feel ashamed or uncomfortable.
You are ashamed of me
You have feelings of shame or embarrassment about me because of something I have done or said.
You don't understand
You are not able to comprehend something that I am trying to communicate to you.
I am no longer a child, I wish to see the world
I am growing up and want to explore beyond the safety of home and discover new things.
Don't you know what's out there in the world
There are many dangers and risks that exist outside of our home that I may not be aware of.
Someone has to shield you from the world
I feel responsible for keeping you safe and protected from the potential harm that exists outside of our home.
Stay with me
I want you to stay close to me and not venture too far away.
Princes wait there in the world, it's true
There are desirable things that exist outside of our home, such as romantic partners or adventure.
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
However, there are also negative and dangerous things in the world, such as people who may want to harm you.
Stay at home
I want you to stay safe and secure within the familiar environment of our home.
I am home
Our home is where we feel comfortable and safe, and it is where we belong.
Who out there could love you more than I
Nobody can love you more than I do, because of the strong emotional bond that exists between us.
What out there that I cannot supply
I am capable of providing you with everything you need and want in life, and there is nothing you can find outside of our home that I cannot provide.
Stay with me
I want you to stay close to me and continue to rely on me for your needs.
Stay with me
I want you to cling to your childhood and stay innocent and protected while you still can.
The world is dark and wild
The world can be a scary and unpredictable place, and it can be difficult to navigate on your own.
Stay a child while you can be a child
You should enjoy your childhood while you still have the opportunity to be carefree and innocent.
With me
I will always be here to love and support you, no matter what happens.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bea
[WITCH]
What did I clearly say?
Children should listen
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No, no, please!
[WITCH]
What were you not to do?
Children must see--
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
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, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed of me
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed
You don't understand
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
It was lonely atop that tower
[WITCH, spoken]
I was not company enough?
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
I am 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
K Bailey
WITCH]
What did I clearly say?
Children must listen.
[RAPUNZEL]
No, no, please!
[WITCH]
What were you not to do?
Childrem 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 embarass you.
[RAPUNZEL]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed of me.
[RAPUNZEL]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed.
You don't understand.
[RAPUNZEL]
It was lonely atop that tower.
[WITCH]
I was not company enough?
[RAPUNZEL]
I am 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.
Tova Storm
I love how she says "Princes, yes, but wolves and humans too," like, implying that princes aren't human.
J Do
Because princes are supposed to be perfect and charming. As the plot bares out, we learn that they're flawed and human just like everyone else.
Cassidy Rose
God, Bernadette Peters was so perfect for this role. almost as if it was created for her, shes so freaking talented, such an amazing entertainer. huge stage presence, it would be hard to compete with her if not impossible. She sings the shit outta this song!!!!
Nicole Hinnebusch
I love how she does into the woods
T. J.
Hell yeah!! I was lucky enough to see her do it!!! Wonderful!!
bea
[WITCH]
What did I clearly say?
Children should listen
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No, no, please!
[WITCH]
What were you not to do?
Children must see--
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
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, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed of me
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
[WITCH]
You are ashamed
You don't understand
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
It was lonely atop that tower
[WITCH, spoken]
I was not company enough?
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
I am 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
CalahBritt
God, the "Who out there could love you more than I" line gives me chills every time
broadwaymelody33
Working with foster parents of kids recently removed from abusive households, this song is hard for me to listen to. A toxic parent singing to a poor child lost in the midst of their instability. I love it but ever since I started my job the song has a new sort of pain added to it.
T. J.
Oh, I forgot that I actually saw this play on Broadway during our class trip!!! I loved it and Bernadette's character!! I love BERNADETTE. ALAMANZO WILDER or the actor who played him was in this!!! I loved Little House on the Prarie!@
T. J.
I'm crying singing this!!! I was adopted or as I call it abandoned!!! The woman who adopt6me abandoned me too. The man she adopted me with died in 2008 in the hospital holding my hand. My husband was there but he left me too!! I'm very strong and very crazy!@ she once told me how she admired how I kept going. That is only because I suck at suicide@!!