Sadie
The Spinners Lyrics


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In a world like today
It's a rare occasion to be able
To see young mothers like the ones
That were around when I grew up
But they live on in memory
To quite a few of us
And this song is dedicated
To those who cherish that memory

Early one Sunday morning
Breakfast was on the table
There was no time to eat
She said to me, "boy, hurry to Sunday school"

Filled with a load of glory
We learned the Holy story
She'll always have her dreams
Despite the things this troubled world can bring

Oh, Sadie
Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?
Place no one above you
Sweet Sadie, well, well, well (living in the past)
Sometimes it seems so funny
But no money will turn your life around

Sweeter than cotton candy
Stronger than papa's old brandy
Always that needed smile
Once in a while, she would break down and cry

Sometimes she'd be so happy
Just being with us and daddy
Standing the worst of times
Breaking the binds with just a simple song

Oh (Sadie) Sadie, baby
(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) she'll love us all in a special way
Well, well, well (place no one above you) sweet Sadie
Living in the past
Oh, she's never sinnin'
In love she's always winnin', yeah

(Sadie, don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) my, my, my, I love you, mama
(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) I just can't forget
How you gave me love, oh, Lord (living in the past)
If there's a heaven up above
I know she's teaching angels how to love

(Sadie, don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) it's a mean world without you
All the love you showed
(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh, how could anyone ever doubt your lovely word?
(Living in the past)
Ain't it funny that in the end, it's not money
It's just the love you gave us all?

(Sadie, don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) Why, why do the good leave so soon?
(Place no-one above you, sweet Sadie) oh, I don't know (living in the past)
And though the people say they love my songs
Oh Lord, I'm all alone, I miss her so
(Sadie, don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) well, I love you, mama
(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh
Let me just try, just try one more time and say, I (living in the past)
And though we were very poor, she tried to love us that much more, oh
(Sadie)
Have you ever, have you ever met Sadie? (don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh
The premier of ladies (living in the past)

Oh, sometimes I feel so alone
But I know that I gotta on
(Sadie) that's what she wanted for me
(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) I know it's gonna be hard some time
(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh Sadie
(Living in the past) lord, although my mama's no longer here
Her memory still lingers dear, ah

(Sadie) just let me run, let me run, let me go
(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?) why don't you?
Why you wanna make me feel so bad? (place no one above you, sweet Sadie)




Well, well, just get home, let me be (living in the past)
I'm going to keep on moving, I'm going to try to keep groving

Overall Meaning

The Spinners’ classic hit “Sadie” is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the African-American community, the strong and loving mothers who endured hardships in a world that still struggled with racism and inequality. The song begins with a reflection on the lack of young mothers who embody the same qualities and values as those from the past. The lyrics then shift to a specific memory of the singer’s mother, who woke him up on Sunday morning for church and instilled in him the importance of faith and love. The chorus of the song repeatedly declares love for Sadie, her invaluable role in her family’s life, and the legacy she left behind.


The song captures the spirit of resilience, joy, and determination that was exemplified by mothers like Sadie, who found a way to smile and persevere despite the adversity they faced. Sadie represents the qualities of motherhood that transcend time and place and that continue to inspire and guide future generations. The Spinners’ lyrics are a moving tribute to the power of a mother’s love and the profound impact it can have on a family, a community, and a nation.


Line by Line Meaning

In a world like today
It's rare to find young mothers like those from the past


But they live on in memory
The memories of these mothers are cherished


Early one Sunday morning
One Sunday morning in the past


Breakfast was on the table
Breakfast was ready to be eaten


There was no time to eat
There was no time to finish eating


She said to me, "boy, hurry to Sunday school"
She told me to go to Sunday school quickly


Filled with a load of glory
The Holy story was filled with glory


We learned the Holy story
We learned about the Holy story


She'll always have her dreams
She will always have her dreams


Despite the things this troubled world can bring
Despite the troubles of the world


Oh, Sadie
Referring to the person named Sadie


Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?
Expressing love for Sadie


Place no one above you
No one is more important than Sadie


Sometimes it seems so funny
Sometimes it seems humorous or ironic


But no money will turn your life around
Money cannot change your life


Sweeter than cotton candy
Very sweet


Stronger than papa's old brandy
Stronger than old brandy


Always that needed smile
Always had a smile that was needed


Once in a while, she would break down and cry
Occasionally, she would cry


Sometimes she'd be so happy
Sometimes she would be very happy


Just being with us and daddy
Just spending time with the family


Standing the worst of times
Staying strong during difficult times


Breaking the binds with just a simple song
Breaking free with a simple song


Oh (Sadie) Sadie, baby
Referring to the person named Sadie


(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
Expressing love for Sadie


Well, well, well (place no one above you) sweet Sadie
No one is more important than Sadie


Living in the past
Referring to memories of the past


Oh, she's never sinnin'
She never sinned


In love she's always winnin', yeah
She always wins in love


(Sadie, don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
Expressing love for Sadie


It's a mean world without you
The world is harsh without Sadie


All the love you showed
The love Sadie showed is remembered


(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh, how could anyone ever doubt your lovely word?
No one is more important than Sadie and her word is lovely


Ain't it funny that in the end, it's not money
Ironic that money is not important in the end


If there's a heaven up above
If there's a heaven


I know she's teaching angels how to love
She's teaching angels how to love in heaven


Why, why do the good leave so soon?
Questioning why good people leave early


Oh, I don't know (living in the past)
Not sure why


And though the people say they love my songs
People say they love the music


Oh Lord, I'm all alone, I miss her so
Feeling alone and missing Sadie


Well, I love you, mama
Expressing love for Sadie


Let me just try, just try one more time and say, I (living in the past)
Trying to remember the past


And though we were very poor, she tried to love us that much more, oh
Even though they were poor, Sadie tried to love them more


Have you ever, have you ever met Sadie? (don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
Asking if someone has ever met Sadie and expressing love for her


The premier of ladies (living in the past)
The best among women in the past


Oh, sometimes I feel so alone
Feeling alone at times


But I know that I gotta on
But I know I have to keep going


(Sadie) that's what she wanted for me
Referring to what Sadie wanted for him


(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
Expressing love for Sadie


I know it's gonna be hard some time
I know it will be difficult at times


(Place no one above you, sweet Sadie) oh Sadie
No one is more important than Sadie


(Living in the past) lord, although my mama's no longer here
Talking about the past when Sadie was still alive


Her memory still lingers dear, ah
Her memory is still cherished


(Sadie) just let me run, let me run, let me go
Asking Sadie to let him go


(Don't you know we love you, sweet Sadie?)
Expressing love for Sadie


Why, why do you wanna make me feel so bad? (place no one above you, sweet Sadie)
Asking why Sadie wants to make him feel bad and no one is more important than her


Well, well, just get home, let me be (living in the past)
Asking Sadie to let him be and talking about the past


I'm going to keep on moving, I'm going to try to keep groving
Going to keep moving forward and trying to keep going




Lyrics © Exceleration Music Partners, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THEODORE R TAYLOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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