Lady Madonna
The BeatlesȀ Lyrics
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Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Pa pa pa pa,
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Lady Madonna is a song by The Beatles that celebrates the strength and resilience of single mothers. The song describes the daily struggles of a working-class mother who is doing everything she can to make ends meet, while raising her children on her own. The lyrics begin with a description of Lady Madonna sitting with her children at her feet, and the song wonders how she manages to pay her rent, buy food and clothes for her family. It goes on to describe her busy weekly schedule, as she tries to balance her work, household chores, and the needs of her children.
The song also touches on themes of religion, with references to Sunday being compared to a nun, and Tuesday afternoon being described as "never ending." The lyrics suggest that Lady Madonna finds solace in music, listening to it in her head while lying on her bed. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "see how they run," implying that Lady Madonna's children are active and lively, despite the hardships they face.
Lady Madonna was released by The Beatles in 1968 and was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in the UK and other countries. It was notable for its use of a honky-tonk piano sound, played by the band's bassist, Paul McCartney. The song was also notable for its social commentary, which was unusual for The Beatles at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Commendation to the lady who seems to care for children greatly
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Admiration for her ability to provide the needs of the family despite limited resources
Who find the money when you pay the rent
Curiosity on where she gets the money to pay for the rent
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Rhetorical question on whether she believes the money she gets is a blessing from heaven
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Statement of how the week has ended without anything significant
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Comparison of how Sunday mornings feel like creeping nuns
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
Maturity of the children who have learned to manage themselves
See how they run
Observation of the children's playful behavior
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Compliment on Lady Madonna's breastfeeding ability
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
Wondering how she provides food for the entire family
Pa pa pa pa, See how they run
Observation of the children's playful behavior while making baby noises
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Description of Lady Madonna resting on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Encouragement to Lady Madonna to enjoy some time for herself and listen to music
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Emphasis on how Tuesday afternoons seem to drag on
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Mention of the annoyance caused by the missing newspaper
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
Reminder to Lady Madonna of the need to mend her stockings
See how they run
Observation of the children's playful behavior
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Repetition of the admiration for Lady Madonna's care for children
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GEORGE HARRISON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RockNRollStar504
Lyrics
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was heaven sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
See how they run
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night your stockings needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
@ZalejoZ
Lyrics :D ─
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money? When you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was Heaven sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creep in like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonder how you manage to feed the rest
See how they run
Lady Madonna, lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stockings needed mending
See how they run
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
@strathman7501
Where did you get "John's surrealistic lyrics" from? He certainly didn't write the lyrics. He may have offered a word or suggestion here or there, but the evidence even for that is poor.
In 1972 "Lennon attributed Lady Madonna directly to Paul McCartney . . . with no comment." (Hit Parader 1972)
Eight years later he can't remember so well. Asked by Sheff who wrote it he said flatly, “Paul." But then he adds "maybe I helped him on some of the lyrics," but he seems to be just guessing. "I'm not proud of them either way," he said. (All We Are Saying)
In Many Years From Now, Paul said "'Lady Madonna' was me", mentioning no input from John.
In "McCartney 3,2,1," Paul says that he wrote the song at home (7 Cavendish Ave, St. Johns Wood) with no mention of John.
That's corroborated by Ringo's comment back in 1968 that Paul brought it into the studio finished: "I couldn't really say what the lyrics mean, because only Paul knew what he had in his mind. Paul composed the song at home." (Beatlesebooks)
I can't find any source that adds any meat to John's very vague "maybe I helped" from 1980.
@RCCola339
I like that they're pretty obviously not playing Lady Madonna
@KimSenior
Right! It’s Hey Bulldog.
@diogo_barros
Hey Bulldog
@pemo2676
@@diogo_barros Looking through, you can clearly see them say the lyrics/screaming
@thedrummerpro6455
Um
@thedrummerpro6455
It’s nicsterv
@Sam-nl8ie
Fun Fact: in this record they are actually playing Hey
Bulldog instead of Lady Madonna
@fergalhughes165
And in the video for Hey Bulldog, they are actually playing I Am The Walrus
@carterthacker5837
@@fergalhughes165 and in the walrus video they're actually playing Hey Jude!
@accam6734
And in the Hey Jude video they are actually
playing It’s Now Or Never.