In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mama never seemed to miss the finer things of life
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
She never wanted to be more than a mother and a wife
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
The only thing that seemed to be important in her life
Was to make our house a home and make us happy
Mama never wanted any more than what she had
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
He often left her all alone, but she didn't mind the staying home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
And she never missed the flowers and the cards he never sent her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Being took for granted was a thing that she accepted
And she didn't need those things to make her happy
And she didn't seem to notice that he didn't kiss and hold her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
One morning we awoke
Just to find a note
That mama carefully wrote and left to daddy
And as we began to read it
Our ears could not believe it
The words that she had written there to daddy
She said the kids are older now
They don't need me very much
And I've gone in search for love I need so badly
I have needed you so long but I just can't keep holding on
She never meant to come back home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Goodbye to daddy
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
She never wanted to be more than a mother and a wife
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
The only thing that seemed to be important in her life
Was to make our house a home and make us happy
Mama never wanted any more than what she had
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
He often left her all alone, but she didn't mind the staying home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
And she never missed the flowers and the cards he never sent her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Being took for granted was a thing that she accepted
And she didn't need those things to make her happy
And she didn't seem to notice that he didn't kiss and hold her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
One morning we awoke
Just to find a note
That mama carefully wrote and left to daddy
And as we began to read it
Our ears could not believe it
The words that she had written there to daddy
She said the kids are older now
They don't need me very much
And I've gone in search for love I need so badly
I have needed you so long but I just can't keep holding on
She never meant to come back home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Goodbye to daddy
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Mama, of course manages to say goodbye...what leaves me pondering the most is the voice of the child. Is the child glad for mama...or is the child grieving the loss of her mama? It sort of mixed, the way I see it. That is why, though i'm cheering Mama's departure and women lib all the way...this nostalgic song leaves me a touch sad for the kids...who describe these events with naivete. The children's emotions are never expressed throughout the song. and it leaves you wondering.
now...for an interesting comparison...check out shawn colvin's Sunny Came Home link on this site.Its another song about a woman liberating herself...self discovery plays an important role there too. But she's had a harder/ more traumatic past...and the resolution is violent.