This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Run ragged and wrecked
Catching a tiger
Baiting a bully
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here?
Am I too far from home?
Am I really all alone?
Walk, child, don't run
Go off and have fun
We'll be waiting
Just look before you cross
Take love with the loss
I know it's frustrating
But mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Proud of you, proud of you
Reach, but don't push it away
Say nice words and play
With intention
Practice restraint, yeah
Find out what matters
I know your heart's been broken
But martyrs never open doors
The world is yours
Carry this torch
And use your voice
Who am I, who am I?
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here, here?
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
And all of us who turned into you
We're sure hoping that you pull on through
All of us, into you
We only hope that you pull on through
You pull on through, you pull on through, you pull on through
Your mama's, your papa's here
Catching a tiger
Baiting a bully
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here?
Am I too far from home?
Am I really all alone?
Walk, child, don't run
Go off and have fun
We'll be waiting
Just look before you cross
Take love with the loss
I know it's frustrating
But mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Proud of you, proud of you
Reach, but don't push it away
Say nice words and play
With intention
Practice restraint, yeah
Find out what matters
I know your heart's been broken
But martyrs never open doors
The world is yours
Carry this torch
And use your voice
Who am I, who am I?
Was this my idea?
Is it a mistake?
Why did you take me here, here?
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
Mama's here and your papa too
And we are so darn proud of you
And all of us who turned into you
We're sure hoping that you pull on through
All of us, into you
We only hope that you pull on through
You pull on through, you pull on through, you pull on through
Your mama's, your papa's here
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I think this song has a lot to do with how hard it is to become successful in the music world and leave behind your midwestern roots. It has a lot of rural colloquialisms that seem to be her relatives or friends from back home in Illinois trying to offer her advice as she leaves behind her home to try and go get something that they don't really understand and have never experienced. But she knows their hearts are in the right place.