Mama Who Bore Me
The Spring Awakening Lyrics


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Mama, who bore me,
Mama, who gave me
No way to handle things,
Who made me so sad.
Mama, the weeping,
Mama, the angels
No sleep in heaven
Or bethlehem
Some pray that one day
Christ will come a callin
They light a candle
And hope that it glows
Some just lie there crying
For him to come and find them
But when he comes,
They don't know how to go
Mama, who bore me
Mama, who gave me
No way to handle things
Who made me so bad.
Mama, the weeping,
Mama, the angels,




No sleep in heaven,
Or bethlehem

Overall Meaning

The song "Mama Who Bore Me" from the musical Spring Awakening is a haunting and poignant reflection on the pain of growing up and the search for comfort and guidance from a maternal figure. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and confusion, as the singer struggles to come to terms with her feelings of sadness and inadequacy. The repeated addresses to "Mama", who bore and gave birth to her, highlight the singer's deep sense of loss and abandonment – a feeling that is only reinforced by the allusion to the weeping angels of heaven and bethlehem.


The image of "no sleep in heaven, or bethlehem" suggests a sense of isolation and desolation, as the singer feels cut off from both the earthly and the divine sources of comfort and guidance. The reference to those who "just lie there crying/For him to come and find them" underscores the sense of helplessness and desperation that pervades the song. This is a powerful work of art that explores the universal themes of loss, alienation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.


Line by Line Meaning

Mama, who bore me
Addressing the mother who gave birth to me


Mama, who gave me
Acknowledging the mother who raised and cared for me


No way to handle things
Lacking the necessary skills or support to cope with life's challenges


Who made me so sad.
Blaming the mother for causing emotional distress and pain


Mama, the weeping,
Depicting the mother as someone who cries and is emotional


Mama, the angels
Comparing the mother to an angel, pure and holy


No sleep in heaven
Implying that even in the afterlife, there is no peace or rest


Or bethlehem
Referencing the birthplace of Jesus, implying that even his birthplace does not offer peace


Some pray that one day
Introducing the idea of religious faith and hope for salvation


Christ will come a-callin'
Expressing a hope and belief in the second coming of Jesus


They light a candle
Symbolizing a prayerful act of hope and faith


And hope that it glows
Expecting a positive outcome and sign of answered prayer


Some just lie there crying
Describing a sense of despair and grief


For him to come and find them
Longing for a savior or deliverer to come to their aid


But when he comes,
Anticipating the arrival of the savior


They don't know how to go
Feeling uncertain or lost about how to respond to the arrival of the savior


Mama, who bore me
Repeating the opening line, emphasizing the significance of the mother-child bond


Mama, who gave me
Repeating the second line, linking the motherhood theme to the song's central message


No way to handle things
Repeating the third line, conveying a sense of desperation and hopelessness


Who made me so bad.
Repeating the fourth line, blaming the mother for personal shortcomings


Mama, the weeping,
Repeating the fifth line, underscoring the mother's emotions


Mama, the angels,
Repeating the sixth line, contrasting the mother with the divine


No sleep in heaven,
Repeating the seventh line, reinforcing the song's bleak outlook


Or bethlehem
Repeating the eighth line, summarizing the song's message about the futility of seeking solace in religious symbols and places




Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

셀리Sally

눈을 떴을 때 엄마 날 낳아
슬픔의 문 앞에 버려두었어
우는 천사들 우는 아기들
검은 천국과 저 베들레헴

모두가 원해 두 손 모아 원해
아기 예수가 태어나길
어느 날 그가 오면 무엇을 해야 할지
그 누구도 알지 못한채로

눈을 떴을 때 엄만 날 낳아
아픔에 문 앞에 버려두었어
우는 천사들 우는 아기들
검은 천국과 저 베들레헴



All comments from YouTube:

Nightcore Subliminals

I heard a six-part harmony for this and it was actual heaven

Nightcore Subliminals

@Maui Live performance, I have no link to give you

Maui

well dont leave us hangin drop the link

ad

You can't just tease us without the sauce fam

A and E Slimezz

I sang this for an audition. I got the lead :)

ordinary channel

@Alexis Fonseca Did you get in?

Oh Fluffy UwU

Congratulations

Maggie Foster

what was the show?

Daniela Gutierrez

Congrats 💖💖💖

mj

my friend is singing this for a performance :))

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