Mother May I
Journey of Rediscovery: Mother May I by Caro Kelley
Lyrics
Mother may I, mother may I
Repetition of "Mother may I" sets the tone, suggesting seeking permission or approval.
Mother may I, oh oh oh
-Mother may I, mother may I
-Mother may I, oh oh oh
-He wanted to be like Marco Polo
Describes a person aspiring to be like Marco Polo, exploring, but facing the reality of a world where everything seems discovered.
One foot on the rudder
-And the other on the shore
-Now he's been flying solo
-Everybody's seen everything
-Nothing undiscovered anymore
-He got as far as Little Rock
Narrates the journey reaching Little Rock, facing challenges, and expressing a desire to go back home.
Before his ship it sank and then he
-Drove another couple thirty miles
-On an empty tank
-Maybe for some folks
-Oh it's just the way it goes but he said
-Not me mama, ooh I'm going home
-He said
Expresses the character's reluctance to lose connection and memories, calling home for reassurance.
I don't want memories
-To take the place of you
-And if I forget the way I felt
-Then maybe she will too
-So he, oh he called her on a payphone
-Singing mother may I come home
-Oh oh oh, mother may I
Reiterates the plea to "Mother" for permission or guidance.
Oh mother may I
-He wanted to feel like he was someone
Continues the narrative of the person's journey, feeling the need to step back and ask for permission.
He started out a little step forward
-With a compass in his pack
-And it wasn't long
-Until he wrote a postcard saying
-Mother may I take a little step back
-He got as far as Little Rock
Describes reaching Little Rock again, facing disappointment, and reaffirming the decision to go home.
Before he hit eject and as he
-Pulled the cord on his parachute thought
-Oh what did I expect
-Maybe for other folks
-Oh it's just the way it goes but he said
-Not me mama, I'm going home
-He said
Repeats the theme of not wanting memories to replace the person, expressing the fear of forgetting and a desire to return home.
I don't want memories
-To take the place of you
-And if I forget the way I felt
-Then maybe she will too
-So he, oh he called her on a payphone
-And I don't want memories
-To take the place of you
-And if I forget the way I felt
-Then maybe you will too
-So he called her on a payphone
-Singing mother may I come home
-Ooh
Concludes with a plea to come home, addressing the central theme of seeking approval and comfort from a maternal figure.
Come home
-Mother may I
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