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When Mama Was Moth Lyrics

Sunburst and snowblind
I'd seen the(I shouldn't fear) fear running down my brook
While mama was clear(queer), one more brook
Chills all start screaming
Ribbed and veined
The sunburst and the snowblind
A chill of fear running down my back
When mama was moth, I took bulb form
Body electric
Writhe in vain
Body electric X11
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Submitted by
neon_like On Feb 17, 2002
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Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

There's also an instrumental song on the EP Tiny Dynamine called "Ribbed and Veined;" don't know if it is meant to have any correlation with this song or not, but it's noteworthy.

Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

Liz (Fraser, vocalist) often references nature in earlier songs. However, it's almost impossible to get an 'official' lyric from the Cocteaus; 8/10ths or so of what you read online seems incorrect, and alot of times just plain stoopid. Anyways, I kinda thought the song ended with her singing "mother electric"...wonder if mama got zapped by the bug light?

Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

The first track off their album "Head Over Heels," it is a wonderful song. This is one of my favorite Cocteau Twins songs.

Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

I always thought she was singing "my blue electric" at the end. But, part of the magic of Cocteau Twins is that I don't think there are any real lyrics.

Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

Sunburst and snowblind A chill of fluid right down my brook When mama was queen and a worker bee Shivers and start screaming Rage in vain

The sunburst and the snowblind A chill of fluid right down my brook When mama was moth I took bulb form Body electric Writhe in vain

My blue light trick My blue light trick My blue light trick My blue light trick My blue light trick

Cover art for When Mama Was Moth lyrics by Cocteau Twins

Nice that you think its a "wonderful song", but you're supposed to discuss the meaning of it, in these messages. Anyway, the meaning is pretty much in the title: its about a baby moth (caterpillar?). This is referenced in the lines "ribbed and veined", and "when mama was moth, I took bulb form". EF is definitely one of the most imaginivative lyricists we have. -Famous Amos