This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
I remember the day you appeared on this earth
With eyes like the ocean, got blood on my shirt
From my camera angle it looked like it hurt
But your mama had a big old smile
We drove you home, saw your yellowing skin
Packed a few things and drove you back again
Stayed up all night worrying, wondering
What was gonna make it better
Broken bones heal when you set them right
Get your fine tooth comb from the barbicide
Our love's a protective poison
But you are your mother's child
But she'll keep you for a while
One someday you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own
Halloween costume, looking real cute
With your pillowcase full, in your astronaut suit
But your cousin the cowboy is eyeing your loot
Better watch your Snickers bar
Out on the diamond, now you're up to bat
Chewing your big league, adjusting your hat
Taking a swing and hearing it crack
Look at that apple fly
Tears will dry if you give them time
Life's a roller coaster, keep your arms inside
Fear that's a big emotion
But you are your mother's child
And she'll keep you for a while
But some day you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own
Posing for pictures, cap and a gown
Summer is coming, you're driving around town
Everyone's asking what you're gonna do now
I know you're gonna make a splash
And find you a sweetheart to treat you so kind
Take her to dinner and kiss her goodnight
What I couldn't teach you, you will realize
She's the only thing that matters
Although he's a bastard, make your papa proud
Your a fine young man and I got no doubt
That you're gonna do this better
'Cause you are your mother's child
She had you for a while
Now that you're grown, may you never be on your own
Now that you're grown, may you never feel this alone
With eyes like the ocean, got blood on my shirt
From my camera angle it looked like it hurt
But your mama had a big old smile
We drove you home, saw your yellowing skin
Packed a few things and drove you back again
Stayed up all night worrying, wondering
What was gonna make it better
Broken bones heal when you set them right
Get your fine tooth comb from the barbicide
Our love's a protective poison
But you are your mother's child
But she'll keep you for a while
One someday you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own
Halloween costume, looking real cute
With your pillowcase full, in your astronaut suit
But your cousin the cowboy is eyeing your loot
Better watch your Snickers bar
Out on the diamond, now you're up to bat
Chewing your big league, adjusting your hat
Taking a swing and hearing it crack
Look at that apple fly
Tears will dry if you give them time
Life's a roller coaster, keep your arms inside
Fear that's a big emotion
But you are your mother's child
And she'll keep you for a while
But some day you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own
Posing for pictures, cap and a gown
Summer is coming, you're driving around town
Everyone's asking what you're gonna do now
I know you're gonna make a splash
And find you a sweetheart to treat you so kind
Take her to dinner and kiss her goodnight
What I couldn't teach you, you will realize
She's the only thing that matters
Although he's a bastard, make your papa proud
Your a fine young man and I got no doubt
That you're gonna do this better
'Cause you are your mother's child
She had you for a while
Now that you're grown, may you never be on your own
Now that you're grown, may you never feel this alone
Lyrics submitted by Kashika, edited by whitzors, Mellow_Harsher, pasta755
You Are Your Mother's Child Lyrics as written by Conor M. Oberst
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Conor had this to say about this song in an interview with Billboard:
On "You Are Your Mother's Child," Oberst adopts the perspective of a rueful father, proud of his child's accomplishments despite his own shortcomings. "Although he's a bastard, make your papa proud/Cuz you're a fine young man, and I've got no doubt/That you're gonna do this better, because you are your mother's child."
"I definitely struggled with whether to put that one on the record," says Oberst of the song. "It has more sentimentality to it than any of the other songs, but I've seen a lot of friends go through that stuff. [Having kids] would be a cool thing to do someday. I don't particularly feel ready for it right now, but I guess no one ever does."
billboard.com/articles/news/6070140/conor-oberst-the-ex-boy-wonder-of-indie-rock-major-label
songs like this one about childhood and growing up absolutely tear me up. I was born into a fairly upper middle class family and I have wonderful memories of my parents, brother and beautifully unique house. however, when I was young, my parents seperated in a very nasty divorce. it was so painful for my brother and I, and once my father moved out he mbecame very strict and angry and I blamed him for everything wrong in my life, and I often forgot how much he cared for me. the same thing happened with my mother. I'm still growing up, but sometimes I forget everything she does for me and I feel guilty about it.
It is a beautiful song, written from a dad's perspective, making me seriously emotional and want to hug my kids and tell them I love them. Thank you Conor.
How is there only one comment here?? This is such a beautiful song