Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow? Lyrics

Lyric discussion by OpinionHead 

Cover art for Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow? lyrics by Rolling Stones, The

I have a feeling this song is about a filthball politician who's as transparent as a car windshield. The last line of the tune cements for me: "The brave old world...". It means that the guy has to choose to tell about his dirty laundry or hide it in the shadows. He has to be good or be bad and be truthful about his choice.