Founded by Creager in 1992, they have long held true to their mission of enlightening the common man as to the power and versatility of the mighty cello. Historically influenced, and constantly costumed, Rasputina keeps a small legion of incredibly passionate admirers enthralled with their earnest musicianship. Considered to be quite a pioneer and visionary, Melora and her group have inspired countless young people to pick up the cello, and have re-inspired many uninspired string players. Rasputina considers this to be the finest payment for their work.
Professional involvements have included Nirvana, Ultra Vivid Scene, Marilyn Manson, Porno For Pyros, Belle and Sebastian,and Cheap Trick.
Former Members of Rasputina:
Julia Kent (89-99)
Kris Cowperthwaite (00-02)
Zoë Keating (02-06)
Sarah Bowman (06-08)
Jonathon TeBeest (00-08)
Mama was an Opium-Smoker
Rasputina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She light it with a red-hot poker
She would never take a bath
We would ask her - she'd just laugh
Because our momma was an opium-smoker
She made it with this gentleman, Lincoln
They met on a boat, it was sinking
Momma say, "No way, oh my lord"
"Only of opium smoke am I thinkin'"
Oh help us Lord
We can't afford, her destructive ways
You oughtta hear what she says!
She would just sit on her fat ass
Yell at us, "Fill up my wine glass!"
She would tell us, "How sad"
"You won't never know your dad"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
She hide the money and the drugs in the mattress
I wonder, how long has she been at this?
And I say, "Mom, bang the gong"
"Can't you see, it's gone all wrong?"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
The song "Momma was an Opium-smoker" by Rasputina tells the story of a dysfunctional family where the mother is addicted to opium. The singer describes how their mother would light the opium with a red-hot poker and refuse to take a bath. The mother's addiction has led to the breakdown of the family, with her neglecting her children and telling them that they would never know their father. The singer also highlights the secrecy that surrounds the mother's addiction, with her hiding the money and drugs in the mattress.
The lyrics suggest that the mother's addiction has had a detrimental effect on her children, who feel helpless to intervene. The song also reflects on the societal attitudes towards drug addiction, which often focuses on moral condemnation rather than understanding the root causes of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma was an opium-smoker
The singer is informing the listener that their mother was addicted to opium.
She light it with a red-hot poker
The mother used a red-hot poker to light up the opium.
She would never take a bath
The mother never bathed.
We would ask her - she'd just laugh
When asked why she did not take a bath, the mother would laugh and not give a serious answer.
Because our momma was an opium-smoker
The artist restates the fact their mother was addicted to opium.
She made it with this gentleman, Lincoln
The mother made a sexual encounter with a gentleman named Lincoln.
They met on a boat, it was sinking
The mother and Lincoln met on a boat that was sinking at some point in time.
When she shoulda gone overboard,
Despite the sinking of the boat, the mother did not jump overboard like others did.
Momma say, "No way, oh my lord"
The mother said, "no way" to jumping overboard and possibly saving herself.
"Only of opium smoke am I thinkin'"
The mother's mind was only on smoking opium, not on saving herself from the sinking boat.
Oh help us Lord
The singer calls out for help from the Lord.
We can't afford, her destructive ways
The mother's addiction is having a negative impact on the family.
You oughtta hear what she says!
The mother says things that are worth hearing about her addiction.
She would just sit on her fat ass
The mother would sit idly and not do anything productive.
Yell at us, "Fill up my wine glass!"
The mother would yell at the singer and others to fill up her wine glass.
She would tell us, "How sad"
The mother would say things like "how sad" in reference to the artist and their situation.
"You won't never know your dad"
The mother implies that the artist and their siblings may never get to know their father due to her addiction.
She hide the money and the drugs in the mattress
The mother kept her money and drugs hidden inside the mattress.
I wonder, how long has she been at this?
The singer wonders how long their mother has been addicted to opium.
And I say, "Mom, bang the gong"
The artist is encouraging their mother to make a change and stop addiction.
"Can't you see, it's gone all wrong?"
The artist tells the mother that everything is going wrong due to her addiction.
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
The artist restates the fact their mother was addicted to opium.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind