Throughout his career he played with many famous legends like Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin and John Denver. Some tracks of note include The Journey (a Top 30 hit in Australia in 1993), Cross The Nullarbor and his cover of Mason Williams's Classical Gas.
Lady Madonna
Tommy Emmanuel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 bootlegs
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
Tommy Emmanuel's rendition of "Lady Madonna" is a tribute to the Beatles classic track from 'The White Album', written by Paul McCartney. The song is a tribute to all the women who struggle to make ends meet and yet manage to raise their children to the best of their abilities. The opening lines of the song, "Lady Madonna, children at your feet, wonder how you manage to make ends meet," immediately depict the struggles and resilience of a mother who is trying to provide for her children.
The subsequent lines reflect upon the different days of the week and how each day presents a different set of challenges for a single mother. Fridays signify the end of the week and the start of the weekend, without any suitcase to pack and journey to look forward to. Sundays are slow and monotonous, comparable to the life of a nun. Mondays bring a new set of responsibilities, and the children are slowly learning how to tie their own bootlaces as they grow up. Tuesdays feel like they never end, while Wednesdays can bring unexpected surprises. Thursdays involve mending clothes and fixing things and reflect the day-to-day struggles that Lady Madonna has to face.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the first verse, ending with the children running around and Lady Madonna managing to keep up with them. The song's final lines, "Lady Madonna, children at your feet, Wonder how you manage to make ends meet," once again emphasizes the struggles of a single mother and the resilience that she has to show each day to take care of her children.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Madonna, children at your feet
The lady, Madonna, has children gathered around her.
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Those around her often wonder how she makes enough money to support her family.
Who find the money when you pay the rent
It is a mystery to many how she finds the money to cover her rent payment.
Did you think that money was heaven sent
Some may think she is lucky to have enough money to make ends meet.
Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Her weekends are not filled with travel or vacations.
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
She has little free time for relaxation or enjoyment.
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlegs
One of her children has already learned an important and practical skill.
See how they run
The children play together, running around.
Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Madonna has a baby and is breastfeeding.
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest
She may worry about how she will be able to provide for her other children.
Pa pa pa pa,
The baby may be babbling or cooing.
See how they run
The children play nearby, running around.
Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Madonna is resting on her bed, possibly tired.
Listen to the music playing in your head
She listens to music to help relax or escape her daily struggles.
Tuesday afternoon is never ending
The days can feel very long and endless.
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
She may miss out on reading the news some days.
Thursday night your stockings needed mending
She has little time to keep up with household chores and fixing clothing is also a challenge.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kanakaken
***** " At least I post my name"
Posting your name means shit when you have bugger all on your profile. You've seen mine and you know more about me than anyone knows about you.
The video I posted was where I was raising money for men's cancer and I included my grandchildren in on it as well, to teach them about community. What have you taught anyone, that you love yourself?
All that means is that you are are a narcissistic prig, fixated on your youth. That's what I get from the website that you put up about yourself.
You are a has been that just couldn't make it, so you relive the 'glory' put on you, when you were young, sucking on it like a leech, and more than likely teaching music students how good you once were, just to impress them.
My handle here is 'kanakaken' my name is Ken. I got my handle from living with & working for the people of Papua New Guinea for two years and learning their language in the process.
I played in 5 different bands over the years, including a concert band, using a 6 & 12 string guitar. Unlike you, I don't need to get my jollies about how good I might be, I just do it. I don't need to tell people that I do good and have done good for the community, I just did it & do it.
What have you done for community? Told everyone how terrific you are and how terrible someone else is, who you can't even come within a gnats nut of with you pathetic talent.
YOU are the one who is unsuccessfully trying to show how bloody wonderful you are, not I.
You match your talent, pathetic.
Just go back under the rock from whence you came.
@stevebergeron7583
Everytime I see Tommy I can't decide whether to just give up the guitar or practice 23 hours a day. Either way, love this guy!
@chrisklaffi9425
Practice :)
@krossbow_
There’s a healthy balance in there somewhere😂
@debaledzapplin
Feeling is mutual
@panchoverde5078
Try learning. It's all very easy once you have the right working knowledge. This is skill. The talent is the ability to learn.
@MikeChaz1989
The best thing about Tommy isn't his ludicrous talent... it's the fact he radiates joy when he plays... his enjoyment is infectious... never just goes through the motions.
@jpsmith8523
It's as if he just discovered the guitar!!!
He never gets bored
@timtremblay2916
Monster Technician. Best On Planet 🌎
@amowgh
Absolutely!!!
@spriky89
exactly how i see and appreciate how he feels