When I First Met Your Ma
Paul Kelly and The Messengers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was playing in a bar
She walked in with my girlfriend
My foolish girlfriend brought her there
She looked so pretty and dangerous
As she brushed back her hair
And I was not the only one
When I first met your ma
When I first kissed your mother
I was single once again
We walked through Fitzroy Gardens
There she took my hand
We could not stop our kissing
Then she whispered in my ear
'Soon you'll get to know me,
So let's not go too far'
When I first kissed your ma
Love like a bird flies away
You'll find out the only way
Love like a bird flies away
When we first lay together
Inside her father's house
We tired so to be quiet
As we held each other close
Then her dad came pounding and kicked me out of there
I walked two miles in Melbourne rain
I could have walked ten more
When I first loved your ma
Love like a bird flies away
You'll find out the only way
Love like a bird flies away
The song "When I First Met Your Ma" by Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly tells the story of how he met the mother of his child. The song opens with him playing in a bar where his girlfriend brings his future wife along. Kelly immediately takes notice of her and describes her as "pretty and dangerous" as she brushes her hair back. Although there were other people in the bar, the song implies that Kelly was only interested in her.
The second verse talks about their first kiss in Fitzroy Gardens. It's revealed that Kelly was single again when he kissed her, and she took his hand. They couldn't stop kissing and she whispered to him that they should not go too far yet. The song suggests that they take their time getting to know each other as she wasn't ready to go further just yet.
The third verse talks about their first time together, and Kelly describes how her father caught them in his house. They tried to be quiet, but he found them and kicked Kelly out. Kelly describes walking two miles in Melbourne rain, and how he could have walked ten more. The song ends with the repeated message of love being like a bird that flies away, and we'll only find out how to handle it through experience.
Overall, the song tells a sweet story of young love, caution, and eventual heartbreak. Kelly's use of vivid imagery and conversational lyrics make this a memorable and relatable track.
Line by Line Meaning
When I first met your mother
At the time of my first encounter with your mother
I was playing in a bar
I was performing music in a bar
She walked in with my girlfriend
She entered accompanied by my then-girlfriend
My foolish girlfriend brought her there
My girlfriend's decision to bring her there was unwise
She looked so pretty and dangerous
She was inherently attractive and appeared risky
As she brushed back her hair
While she adjusted her hair
And I was not the only one
Others in the bar were also drawn to her
Taking notice in that bar
She had caught the attention of those present in the bar at that time
When I first kissed your mother
At the moment we shared our first kiss
I was single once again
I had returned to being unattached
We walked through Fitzroy Gardens
We strolled within Fitzroy Gardens
There she took my hand
At that point, she grasped my hand
We could not stop our kissing
We kept kissing unabated
Then she whispered in my ear
Subsequently, she quietly expressed to me
'Soon you'll get to know me,
"In time, you'll gain familiarity with me,
So let's not go too far'
"Therefore, let's not act imprudently"
Love like a bird flies away
"Love, like a bird, departs quickly"
You'll find out the only way
"You'll ascertain this solely through experience"
When we first lay together
When we shared a bed for the first time
Inside her father's house
Within her father's dwelling
We tried so to be quiet
We endeavored to make little noise
As we held each other close
While we embraced tightly
Then her dad came pounding and kicked me out of there
Her father loudly arrived and ejected me from the premises
I walked two miles in Melbourne rain
I trudged for two miles in the rain of Melbourne
I could have walked ten more
I was quite able to have gone ten additional miles on foot
When I first loved your ma
When I first fell in love with your mother
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL MAURICE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@56Jagman
The simplicity of Paul's songs is part of their greatness; real life as sung by a real troubador. His live performances are special and his appeal is wide-reaching.
This fan says thank you to Paul for the joy and the sorrow that you have been able to express for so many of us throughout your career.
@jacksonbest4971
Mark Henry , , ,
@boltic1
After all these years he still sounds farqing awesome
@pamelahay6242
And still.... in 2021! 😁
@alking7655
This and How To Make Gravy are two of my favourite songs by him. Listening to his music is a joy, with their simple, yet beautiful storylines, and the frequent setting of Melbourne, my home city. Thanks Paul.
@TheConsciousEvolutionchannel
You got a new fan brother! all though you got your own sound this takes me back to sitting with my Uncle Jimmy listing to Bob Dylan. Your music touches my soul and makes me smile! much love my friend and peace be with you!
@phillewis7685
This song kills me. So beautiful.
@bernadettepurtell9417
My husband said one day that this song reminded him of me. He was never one to express his feelings and he has passed away since. I keep going back to this song and it makes me both cry and smile.
@peterbaker9582
The greatest compliment/ indication of his songwriting ability is shown in the doco on Paul. People associated with him name there favourite Paul song - and nearly everyone had a different song. When you see people of all ages at his concerts, and they know and enjoy the lyrics, tells you of his ability. I personally have about 20 favourite Paul Kelly songs and cant pick one as the best
@lisathomson1098
I love Paul Kelly, his voice, his songs, his talent - awesomeness!