Mama Who Bore Me
Phoebe Strole Lyrics


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Mama who bore me
Mama who gave me
Mama, the angels
Who made me so sad

Mama who bore me
Mama who gave me
No way to handle things
Who made me so sad

Mama, the weeping
Mama, the angels
No sleep in Heaven
Or Bethlehem

Some pray that one day (one day)
Christ will come a-callin' (callin', light)
They light a candle
And hope that it glows

And some just lie there, cryin'
For Him to come and find them
And when He comes
They don't know how to go (mama)

Mama who bore me (mama who bore me)
Mama who gave me (mama who gave me)
Mama, the Angels, mama (no way to handle things)
Who made me so bad

Mama, the weeping (mama, the weeping)
Mama, the angels, mama (mama, the angels)




No sleep in Heaven
Or Bethlehem

Overall Meaning

Phoebe Strole's song Mama Who Bore Me is a haunting and emotional expression of the pain and confusion that can come with growing up and trying to understand the world around us. The lyrics are raw and unflinching, capturing the feelings of sadness, frustration, and anguish that can come with feeling lost and alone.


At its core, the song is about the relationship between a mother and her child. The singer is grappling with the fact that, despite their love and devotion, her mother was not able to provide the guidance and support she needed to navigate the challenges of life. She is left feeling alone and unprepared, with no one to turn to for help or comfort.


The repeated references to weeping and angels suggest a sense of loss and longing, as if the singer is reaching out for something beyond her grasp. The lines "No sleep in Heaven/Or Bethlehem" add a touch of religious symbolism, evoking the idea of a divine presence that might offer comfort and solace, but is ultimately unreachable.


Overall, Mama Who Bore Me is a powerful and evocative expression of the dark emotions that can come with growing up and trying to find one's place in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Mamma who bore me
The person who gave birth to me


Mamma who gave me
The person who raised and cared for me


No way to handle things
Unable to cope with difficult situations


Who made me so sad
Who caused me pain and sorrow


Mamma, the weeping
The person who cries and expresses emotions


Mamma, the Angels
The person who is kind and caring like an angel


No sleep in Heaven
Unable to find peace even in the afterlife


Or Bethlehem
No peace even in the birthplace of Jesus


Some pray that one day, Christ will come a'-callin'
Some people hope for divine intervention from Jesus


They light a candle and hope that it glows
They perform rituals and hope for positive results


And some just lie there crying for Him to come and find them
Some people feel helpless and wait for divine intervention


But when He comes they don't know how to go
Even when help arrives, some people are unable to accept or handle it


Mamma who bore me
The person who gave birth to me


Mamma who gave me
The person who raised and cared for me


No way to handle things
Unable to cope with difficult situations


Who made me so bad
Who caused me to become troubled or problematic


Mamma, the weeping
The person who cries and expresses emotions


Mamma, the Angels
The person who is kind and caring like an angel


No sleep in Heaven
Unable to find peace even in the afterlife


Or Bethlehem
No peace even in the birthplace of Jesus




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Sater, Duncan Sheik

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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