Mother
Roger Waters & Sinead O'Connor Lyrics

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb ?
Do you think there will be a nuclear war?

Mother do you think they'll like this song ?
Do you think the people in power will approve of this song?

Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls ?
Do you think they'll try to harm me or make things difficult for me?

Ooooh, mother should I build a wall ?
Should I shut myself off from the world and build a protective barrier?

Mother should I run for president ?
Should I try to become the leader of the country?

Mother should I trust the government ?
Can I rely on the government to act in my best interest?

Mother will they put me in the firing line ?
Will I be in danger or targeted for something I believe in?

Oooh is it just a waste of time ?
Is all of this effort pointless and futile?

Hush now baby, baby don't you cry.
Don't worry, everything will be okay.

Mama's gonna make all of your nightmares come true.
The artist's mother will bring about the bad outcomes they fear.

Mama's gonna put all of her fears into you.
The mother is projecting her own anxieties onto her child.

Mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing.
The mother will protect and control her child.

She won't let you fly but she might let you sing.
The mother will restrict her child's freedom but may allow them some form of expression.

Mama will keep baby cosy and warm.
The mother will provide love and comfort to her child.

Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Of course Mama's gonna help build the wall !
The mother is in favor of the idea of shutting oneself off from the world.

Mother do you think she's good enough, for me?
Do you approve of the person I'm interested in?

Mother do you think she's dangerous, to me?
Do you think this person poses a threat to me?

Mama will they tear little boy apart?
Will the singer face cruel treatment or mistreatment?

Oooh, mother will she break my heart?
Is it possible that this person will hurt the singer emotionally?

Mama's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you.
The mother will investigate and judge the people the child is romantically interested in.

Mama won't let anyone dirty get through.
The mother will protect her child from any undesirable or dangerous people.

Mama's gonna wait up untill you get in.
The mother will stay awake until her child returns home safely.

Mama will always find out where you've been.
The mother will keep a close eye on her child's whereabouts and activities.

Mama's gonna keep baby healthy and clean.
The mother will ensure her child's well-being and cleanliness.

Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, Ooooh Babe, You'll always be a baby to me !
The mother will always see her child as her baby, even as they grow older.

Mother, did it need to be so high ?
Did the barrier the singer has put up need to be so extreme and isolating?