Earle was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, and grew up near San Antonio, Texas. His father, Jack Earle, was an air traffic controller. Although he was born in Virginia where his father was stationed, the family returned to Texas before Earle's second birthday. They moved several times but Earle grew up primarily in the San Antonio area.
Earle began learning the guitar at the age of 11 and placed in a talent contest at his school at age 13. He is reported to have run away from home at age 14 to follow his idol, singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt around Texas. Earle was "rebellious" as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of 16. He moved to Houston with his 19-year-old uncle, who was also a musician, where he married and worked odd jobs. While in Houston Earle finally met Van Zandt, who became his hero and role model.
In 1975, at the age of 20, Earle moved to Nashville and began working as a songwriter. In these early days, he recorded with Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris. He finally scored a country hit in 1981, writing Johnny Lee's top ten cut "When You Fall in Love." Earle's early work as a performer tended towards the rockabilly sound, popular at the time. In 1986, his first proper album Guitar Town was a critical and commercial success. It sold over 300,000 copies and led some to herald him as a saviour of country music.
Earle long struggled with drug abuse. His addiction eventually caused a departure from performing and recording after he was dropped by MCA in 1991. Whilst in jail on drug and firearm charges, he kicked the habit and returned to music after his release in 1994.
Earle's "second, post-jail, musical career" has been more stylistically diverse than his early material, dipping in acoustic, bluegrass, and roots rock sounds. I Feel Alright and Transcendental Blues met with good reviews and decent sales. 2002's somewhat controversial Jerusalem was one of the first albums to directly address the September 11 attacks. It brought Earle's leftist views to media attention, especially the song "John Walker's Blues."
His latest album of original material I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released in 2011. Songfacts reports that one of the tracks, This City, got played on HBO’s New Orleans based show Treme several months before the album‘s release. Earle, who plays a recurring street musician, composed the song especially for the drama series.
Earle has also released a tribute album of material written by friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, entitled Townes.
For more information and photographs of Steve Earle go to his official website, www.SteveEarle.com.
If Mama Coulda Seen Me
Steve Earle Lyrics
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She'd wanna know if I was learnin' my lesson, I'd lie but I ain't
She could never tell the difference 'cause I listen with my mouth
So send me up the river and I'm never gettin' out
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she'd cry but she can't
If my mama coulda seen me in these chains, she'd be fit to be tired
She would spare that pain 'cause I was barely thirteen when she died
Nobody is a-prayin' in a solitary cell
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she'd cry but she can't
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Ain't nobody ever causing mama any grief
First time, never mind, third shock out
You're a-climbin' on the boogie beyond a shadow of a doubt
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, it'd brake her poor heart
Took her dreams and damned if I didn't tear everyone apart
Now I get down on my knees nearly every single day
Thank the Lord she never have to see me this way
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she'd cry but she can't
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she'd cry but she can't
The song "If Mama Coulda Seen Me" by Steve Earle and The Dukes is a poignant look at a young man's life in prison and his regrets about how his life turned out. The song starts by the singer remarking on how his mother would be crying if she saw him in prison, but she can't because she's passed away. He acknowledges that if his mother were alive, she would want to know if he was learning his lesson, but he admits that he's not. He goes on to say that his mother could never tell the difference because he listens with his mouth, perhaps an indication of his rebellious nature.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that if his mother could see him in prison, it would break her heart. He reflects on his mother sparing him the pain of her passing when he was only 13 and how she is now in heaven while he is in hell. He acknowledges that nobody is praying for him in this solitary cell. In the bridge, Earle sings about the fact that no matter how high or low one's station in life may be, everybody loves their mom and nobody wants to cause her any grief.
The song ends with the singer expressing regret for taking his mother's dreams for him and tearing everyone apart. He acknowledges that he still prays and thanks the Lord that his mother never had to see him in this situation. In summary, "If Mama Coulda Seen Me" is a powerful song that speaks to the pain and regret of a young man who has lost his way in life and ended up in prison.
Line by Line Meaning
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she'd cry but she can't
The singer's mother would be heartbroken to see him in prison, but she has passed away and cannot witness it.
She'd wanna know if I was learnin' my lesson, I'd lie but I ain't
The singer's mother would inquire if he is learning from his mistakes, but he is not, and would lie to her about it if she were alive.
She could never tell the difference 'cause I listen with my mouth
The singer's mother was unable to distinguish whether her son was telling the truth or not, as he talks too much and doesn't listen enough.
So send me up the river and I'm never gettin' out
The artist is resigned to his fate in prison and has accepted that he will never be released.
If my mama coulda seen me in these chains, she'd be fit to be tired
The artist's mother would be greatly distressed to see her son in chains and shackles.
She would spare that pain 'cause I was barely thirteen when she died
The singer's mother passed away when he was still young, so she never had to see him experience this pain and suffering.
Well, I reckon she's in Heaven and I know that I'm in Hell
The singer believes that his mother is in Heaven, while he is living in a personal Hell because of his choices.
Nobody is a-prayin' in a solitary cell
The artist is alone in his cell and nobody is praying for him, which adds to his loneliness and despair.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Regardless of status or occupation, nobody causes trouble for their mother.
Ain't nobody ever causing mama any grief
The artist's mother was never stressed or harmed by her children's choices.
First time, never mind, third shock out
The singer is trying to say that a person can get lucky the first time they do something wrong and not get caught, but eventually their luck will run out.
You're a-climbin' on the boogie beyond a shadow of a doubt
If someone continues to engage in illegal or harmful behavior, they will inevitably experience negative consequences.
Took her dreams and damned if I didn't tear everyone apart
The singer's actions ruined his mother's dreams and caused harm to those around him.
Now I get down on my knees nearly every single day
The singer prays regularly, likely for forgiveness and hope.
Thank the Lord she never have to see me this way
The singer is grateful that his mother did not have to witness him in prison and suffering because of his actions.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind