I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
My daddy was a longshoreman in New Orleans,
My mamma kept score just watchin' the Mardi Gras,
Oh me, I sat on the front porch watchin' the rails roll out,
I was waitin' for my Omie to take me outta this south
It was me and my sisters, like to wore that front porch out
[Chorus:]
And there can't be more to this livin' than loving my Omie
We're both sittin' back here watchin' our children grow
If there's a better ace in the deck,
Well, baby, come on and show me,
If you ain't got a hand then get on your wheel and roll,
'cause there could never be a better hand than these hearts I hold
Me and my Omie, we settled down here in Houston
Oh, and one by one, we moved my sisters west
We bought a house in the suburbs and we've got four fine children
We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less
We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less
[Chorus]
My children are the first thing in my mornin``
My Omie is the last thing in my night
Oh, in between I dream about that porch back home
And I bless my daddy for the love within that house
But, I thank my Omie for takin' me outta the south
look at these hearts I hold, oh, look at these hearts I hold
look at these hearts I hold, there ain't no place like home
Look at these hearts we hold, look at those hearts you hold
Hey! My Omie's got a heart of gold, look at these hearts we hold
take a look at those hearts you hold!
My mamma kept score just watchin' the Mardi Gras,
Oh me, I sat on the front porch watchin' the rails roll out,
I was waitin' for my Omie to take me outta this south
It was me and my sisters, like to wore that front porch out
[Chorus:]
And there can't be more to this livin' than loving my Omie
We're both sittin' back here watchin' our children grow
If there's a better ace in the deck,
Well, baby, come on and show me,
If you ain't got a hand then get on your wheel and roll,
'cause there could never be a better hand than these hearts I hold
Me and my Omie, we settled down here in Houston
Oh, and one by one, we moved my sisters west
We bought a house in the suburbs and we've got four fine children
We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less
We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less
[Chorus]
My children are the first thing in my mornin``
My Omie is the last thing in my night
Oh, in between I dream about that porch back home
And I bless my daddy for the love within that house
But, I thank my Omie for takin' me outta the south
look at these hearts I hold, oh, look at these hearts I hold
look at these hearts I hold, there ain't no place like home
Look at these hearts we hold, look at those hearts you hold
Hey! My Omie's got a heart of gold, look at these hearts we hold
take a look at those hearts you hold!
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Mary and Omie Lyrics as written by Nanci Griffith
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.