MAMA LAY SOFTLY ON THE RIVERBED: Full Lyrics

[justme]

Re: 'Mama Lay Softly on The River bed'

ohh... I know I've said it a million times before BUT, I love this song!!!

 

[Corrissey]

Re: 'Mama Lay Softly on The River bed'

ohh... I know I've said it a million times before BUT, I love this song!!!

Me too! It's a great song. And the (drum) beat is very primal. I like

 

[King Leer]

Re: 'Mama Lay Softly on The River bed'

Who's it about, is the question.

Mama, why did you do it?
Mama, who drove you to it?

Was it the pigs in grey suits
Persercuting you?
Uncivil servants
With no care for how they tortured you
Life is nothing much to lose
It's just so lonely here without you

Mama, why did you do it?
Mama, who drove you to it?

Spare priggish moneymen
Who scared the life out of you
Bailiffs with bad breath
I will slit their throats for you
Life is nothing much to lose
It's just so lonely here without you

Life is nothing much to lose
It's just so lonely here without you

So we're gonna run to you
We're gonna come to you
We're gonna lie down beside you, mama

We're gonna be with you
We're gonna join you
We're gonna lie down beside you, mama

And we'll be safe and sheltered in our graves
We'll come before you
and we will touch you
We'll go for one final hug, mama



as said on http://www.worldofmorrissey.com/template.asp?id=264


they tend to be fairly accurate.

 

[oye terence]

Re: 'Mama Lay Softly on The River bed'

Who's it about, is the question.

now that is a good question,i have not really come up with a personal theory on this one yet.its an interesting lyric and the music really appeals to me.

 

[dunya]

Q
There are snatches of a similar drum beat at the start of "ALIAB" on ROTT.

Does this have any storytelling significance - in the way that certain instruments are used in classical music to set the scene...?

ALIAB is about rebirth after a dead life, Mama about life after death.

I surmise a story about an elderly mentor, hero or relative who is preyed upon by con-artist, or deprived by uncaring officials of the services and assistance needed in their vulnerable state. This may have led to act of desperation by the subject...

Again a rant against uncaring authority, seen in the lyrics of other songs.
Perhaps also some guilt that the singer was unaware of or unable to help until too late..and the comfort of the suggestion that death is not the end..and the ultimate victory of love over death..

 

[jazzie]

Does anyone have the mp3 i can download?