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)
Moma 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 is a heart-wrenching account of the life of the singer's mother who was addicted to opium. It is written from the perspective of a child who grew up in the midst of their mother's addiction. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is reckless and irresponsible, neglecting her children to fulfill her own desires. The singer describes how her mother would light her opium pipe with a red-hot poker and never take a bath, disregarding the pleas of her children. Her mother's addiction is described as the reason why they can't afford basic necessities of life, like food and clothing.
The lyrics also reveal that the singer's mother had a relation with a man named Lincoln, who was with her when they met on a sinking boat. Despite the danger of drowning, the singer's mother chose to stay in the boat to smoke opium. The children were neglected and abused, as their mother indulged herself in her addiction. The singer recounts how their mother would demand that they fill her wine glass and how they never knew who their father was. The song delivers a powerful message about the devastation of addiction and how it can ruin not only the addict’s life but also the lives of those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma was an opium-smoker
Our mother had a habit of smoking opium.
She light it with a red-hot poker
She would use a red-hot object to light her opium pipe.
She would never take a bath
Momma neglected her hygiene, refusing to take baths or shower.
We would ask her - she'd just laugh
When we questioned her lack of cleanliness, she found it humorous.
Because our momma was an opium-smoker
The reason for her behavior was her addiction to opium.
She made it with this gentleman, Lincoln
She became romantically involved with a man named Lincoln.
They met on a boat, it was sinking
They met during a crisis, as the boat they were on was in danger of sinking.
When she shoulda gone overboard,
When she should have jumped ship to save herself,
Momma say, "No way, oh my lord"
Momma refused to leave the boat, expressing her devotion to opium instead.
"Only of opium smoke am I thinkin'"
She was so consumed by opium that she couldn't focus on anything else even in dire circumstances.
Oh help us Lord
We plead for divine assistance to deal with our situation.
We can't afford, her destructive ways
Her addiction was financially and emotionally taxing.
You oughtta hear what she says!
Her words and actions were concerning and alarming.
She would just sit on her fat ass
Momma would spend long periods of time sitting and doing nothing productive.
Yell at us, "Fill up my wine glass!"
She would demand we fetch her alcohol, showing disregard for our needs.
She would tell us, "How sad"
She would reflect on her life and the consequences of her addiction.
"You won't never know your dad"
We were denied the opportunity to know our father, possibly due to momma's addiction or lifestyle.
She hide the money and the drugs in the mattress
Momma attempted to keep her addiction a secret by hiding the evidence where we wouldn't find it.
I wonder, how long has she been at this?
We question the extent of her addiction and how long it has gone on for.
And I say, "Mom, bang the gong"
We try to intervene and get her attention over the noise of her addiction.
"Can't you see, it's gone all wrong?"
We beg her to see the harmful effects of her addiction on herself and on us.
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
We confirm our mother's addiction to opium.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MELORA CREAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind