Mama Said Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Mama, she has taught me well
Told me when I was young
"Son, your life's an open book
Don't close it 'fore it's done"
"The brightest flame burns quickest"
Is what I heard her say
A son's heart's owned to Mother
But I must find my way
[Chorus]
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still (be still)
[Verse 2]
"Rebel," my new last name
Wild blood in my veins
Apron strings around my neck
The mark that still remains
Left home at an early age
Of what I heard was wrong
I never asked forgiveness
But what is said is done
Mama, she has taught me well
Told me when I was young
"Son, your life's an open book
Don't close it 'fore it's done"
"The brightest flame burns quickest"
Is what I heard her say
A son's heart's owned to Mother
But I must find my way
[Chorus]
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still (be still)
[Verse 2]
"Rebel," my new last name
Wild blood in my veins
Apron strings around my neck
The mark that still remains
Left home at an early age
Of what I heard was wrong
I never asked forgiveness
But what is said is done
[Chorus]
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still
[Bridge]
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
So let this heart be still
[Verse 3]
Mama, now I'm coming home
I'm not all you wished of me
But a mother's love for her son
Unspoken, help me be
I took your love for granted
And all the things you said to me, yeah-yeah
I need your arms to welcome me
But a cold stone's all I see
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still
[Bridge]
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
So let this heart be still
[Verse 3]
Mama, now I'm coming home
I'm not all you wished of me
But a mother's love for her son
Unspoken, help me be
I took your love for granted
And all the things you said to me, yeah-yeah
I need your arms to welcome me
But a cold stone's all I see
[Chorus]
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still
Let my heart go
Mama, let my heart go
You never let my heart go
So, let this heart be still
[Outro]
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
So, let this heart be still
Let my heart go
Let your son grow
Mama, let my heart go
Or, let this heart be still
Let my heart go
Mama, let my heart go
You never let my heart go
So, let this heart be still
[Outro]
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
Never I ask of you
But never I gave
But you gave me your emptiness
I now take to my grave
So, let this heart be still
About
Genius Annotation
This song is written by James Hetfield for his mother who died of cancer in 1979 when he was 16 years old. It’s notable for having quite a bit of country influence in its composition, in an album where the band decided to experiment a bit.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.2 X 4
- 5.King Nothing
- 7.Bleeding Me
- 8.Cure
- 10.Wasting My Hate
- 11.Mama Said
- 12.Thorn Within
- 13.Ronnie
- 14.The Outlaw Torn
Credits
Produced By
Written By
Drums
Rhythm Guitar, vocals
Bass
Lead guitar
Recorded At
The Plant Studios, Sausalito, California
Release Date
June 4, 1996
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