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,
Goodbye momma goodbye to you too pa
Little sister you'll have to wait a while to come along
Goodybye to this house and all it's memories
We just got too old to say we're wrong
Got to make one last trip to my bedroom
Guess I'll have to leave some stuff behind
It's funny how the same old crooked pictures
Just don't seem the same to me tonight
There ain't no use in shedding lonely tears mamma
There ain't no use in shouting at me pa
I can't live no longer with your fears mamma
I love you but that hasn't helped at all
Each of us must do the things that matter
All of us must see what we can see
It was long ago you must remember
You were once as young and scared as me
I don't know how hard it is yet mamma
When you realize you're growning old
I know how hard is not to be younger
I know you've tried to keep me from the cold
Thanks for all you done it may sound hollow
Thank you for the good times that we've known
But I must find my own road now to follow
You will all be welcome in my home
Got my suitacse I must go now
I don't mind about the things you said
I'm sorry Mom I don't know where I'm going
Remember little sister look ahead
Tomorrow I'll be in some other sunrise
Maybe I'll have someone at my side
Mamma give your love back to your husband
Father you've have taught we well goodbye
Goodbye Mamma goodbye to you too pa
Little sister you'll have to wait a while to come along
Goodybye to this house and all it's memories
We just got too old to say we're wrong
Got to make one last trip to my bedroom
Guess I'll have to leave some stuff behind
It's funny how the same old crooked pictures
Just don't seem the same to me tonight
There ain't no use in shedding lonely tears mamma
There ain't no use in shouting at me pa
I can't live no longer with your fears mamma
I love you but that hasn't helped at all
Each of us must do the things that matter
All of us must see what we can see
It was long ago you must remember
You were once as young and scared as me
I don't know how hard it is yet mamma
When you realize you're growning old
I know how hard is not to be younger
I know you've tried to keep me from the cold
Thanks for all you done it may sound hollow
Thank you for the good times that we've known
But I must find my own road now to follow
You will all be welcome in my home
Got my suitacse I must go now
I don't mind about the things you said
I'm sorry Mom I don't know where I'm going
Remember little sister look ahead
Tomorrow I'll be in some other sunrise
Maybe I'll have someone at my side
Mamma give your love back to your husband
Father you've have taught we well goodbye
Goodbye Mamma goodbye to you too pa
Lyrics submitted by VampedVixen
Child's Song Lyrics as written by Murray Mclaughlin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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One of the most beautiful songs. (and my first entry here on this site). A tribute to the those who recall the times they set off for their own life and left their childhood homes behind. I love the clear perspective shown in the verses from a young adult in the world who can see the troubles that his parents no longer see. "All of us must do the things that matter".
'Mama give your love back to your husband'. Is such a poignant line as it suggests his mother has given everything to the kids and that possibly, therein lies one of the problems of the marriage. Beautiful song.