February Album Writing Month - FAWM.ORG

Mama Bumped Her Head and Died (*22356)

chipwithrow

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Tagged As:

folk blues acoustic death

Liner Notes:

I was picking up clothes off the floor, and my head came a bit close to the sharp corner of the dresser. So I thought up a whole story about a kid whose mom dies suddenly, but also about how death isn't the end. Morbid yet hopeful.

Lyrics:

Even prettier than the picture on my wall
Ruby dress, peacock hat, she come floating down the hall
She comes to me in dreams to tell me when you die
That’s when you finally learn how to fly

Mama bumped her head and died, ain’t no lie
I was so little, didn’t even cry
Mama bumped her head and died, just plain bad luck
Mama fell down, Mama never got up

Such a matter-of-fact way to go
Is there a lesson here? Hell, I don’t know
I’m still in town, 40 years come and gone
I thought of her when I saw a kid’s tricycle on a lawn

Mama …

Walk under ladders, step on a crack, shoot loaded dice
Cross at the light, cross all your t’s, cross yourself at night
One day you’re folding laundry, then you’re riding in a hearse
Then you’re the mom of the universe

Mama …
Mama fell down, Mama’s still around

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cheekmeat 2 months ago

Sweet bridge. They're kinda out of fashion (thanks, Mr. Zimmerman!). Even in my work. But I really like bridges. And this one is terrific. And I love the dissonant guitar bend in the intro/instrumental breaks..
bradbrubaker 2 months ago

Seems the goal was to create an unsentimental song about a tragic subject. If so, you succeeded, but in a way that isn't at all passive.
fineexcuses 2 months ago

Ahhh, is this the companion piece to the later song? Love the musing on the impermanence of things, especially where it's so sudden. Reminds me of the tone of early episodes of Six Feet Under, in fact.
brzan 2 months ago

These are killer lyrics. Mama's still around, that whole last verse is great. Well done!
sherrycanary 2 months ago

The walk under ladders verse is a standout. Love the twist at the end. Well done.
Glad I finally got around to visit you this FAWM.
airbagtester 2 months ago

"I thought of her when I saw a kid’s tricycle on a lawn" There's somethihng kind of Stephen King about this line that I thought gave the song some superstitious tension. Then the next bridge part kind of reinforced my superstitions Hypothetical ghosts are a great inspiration!
$Kally O\'Mally - kallyomally$ kallyomally 2 months ago

Lol! Love me a good Mama song!
darcistrutt 3 months ago

Great blues feel - perfect for the subject. The line "Is there a lesson here? Hell, I don't know." made me smile. Sometimes I know I'd be better off not looking for the purpose behind happenings...sometimes things just happen.
andygetch 3 months ago

like the hearse and universe rhyme!
ianuarius 3 months ago

Rockin' song!
auditasum 3 months ago

Hm, I've been thinking a lot about death lately as well. I like the matter-of-fact tone of the lyrics. She just bumped her head and died, man... Cool song.
nightengale 3 months ago

Very cool sound Chip!
rickcannon 3 months ago

Totally digging the intro/bridge guitar riff. Such an upbeat downer song, something I'm rather fond of.
devin 3 months ago

Love the string bends before the second verse.

"One day you’re folding laundry, then you’re riding in a hearse".
Ain't that the truth... nice!
philkmills 3 months ago

Well-written lyric and a rhythm that carries it very well. I like!
mjl22 3 months ago

Like the chord progression!
cyclerider 3 months ago

Excellent! The intimate, stripped-down arrangement works well with this. The lyric tells a vivid and detailed story "mama fell down, mama never got up." That image is so clear, as seen through the eyes of a child.
$\'Old Foot Dupree\' (Danielle) - livinginthemusic$ livinginthemusic 3 months ago

I love it Especially the first verse--it's so vivid right away. I like the philisophical bent and I like your vocal rhythmns in particular too.
donna 3 months ago

I really like the delivery here, Chip. Cool lyric, and a lovely, catchy chorus. Pretty nice chords as well.
degausser 3 months ago

The lyrics in the chorus are really cool and I love songs about ghosts. It's kinda feels a bit 'dark humour' with some of the rhymes and the twist is great at the end
andybalham 3 months ago

I like the story and how you weave in the hopefulness into the song. With just the sad tale part it wouldn't have been as enjoyable. Nice work.
njamz95 3 months ago

and some banjo noodleing. that would be sweet