songs about mothers and fathers

Subject: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,terrbear
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 04:28 AM

Hi.. I need find some good songs that pay tribute to mothers and fathers.. or family life. Husband's family is planning on honoring their parents with a musical tribute.. I am trying to find a few songs to dedicate to his mother and father.. not having much luck.. thanks in advance for your suggestions

[Some song titles in this thread have been converted to links by a Mudelf.]

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 04:53 AM

I don't imagine all these songs would suit your purpose, but here are some partial playlists I use for Mother's Day and Father's Day:

Daddy's Hands • Grandpa • Daddy's Whiskers • Love Without End, Amen • Hush, Little Baby • Daddy, Dear (Cab and Lael Calloway) • Something Wonderful (from The King and I) • My Heart Belongs to Daddy • Papa, Won't You Dance With Me? • That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine • Oh, My Papa • My Guy • Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast • Daddy, What If? (Shel Silverstein?) • The Leader of the Band

Mother's Day: I Want A Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad) • That Wonderful Mother of Mine • Mama Don't Allow • My Yiddishe Mama • The Sweetest Gift (The Judds sing it) • Mother Machree • Que Sera Sera • Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol' Me) • Mama Tried • Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral • Lady Madonna • Mama, He's Crazy • Cotton Fields • Let It Be (Paul McCartney wrote it for his mother) • Coat of Many Colors • Will the Circle Be Unbroken? • Shortnin' Bread

If you are interested in lyrics/chords for any of these and can't find them in the DT, please let me know. I can post them or email them or fax them.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Genie

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 05:10 AM

I don't suppose the dad is a dustman, is he???? There'd be a good one for that...[My Old Man's a Dustman].

Are there any specific interests, or family traditions that could be tied to a song? Any well-known (to the family) anecdotes that a song could be tied to?

For instance, for my mum, I'd do some spinning & weaving songs, one that I could tie to her being raised in a pub, & for my dad something soldierly and something about beer brewing - Those sorts of things can give you a very personal selection. Now that you've got me thinking I will plan something along those lines for their golden wedding next year - thanks for the idea!!

Kristin

Subject: Lyr Add: HERE'S TO MOTHERS (Jeanene Pratt)
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 05:11 AM

Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote for a Mother's Day program a few years ago. It's not great art, but it fits your category. (Each verse represents at least one person in my extended family.) If you would like the tune, let me know. (If not, I won't be offended.)

Here's To Mothers (They're All About Love)
Words and Music by Jeanene Pratt, © 1994; 1995

She may be little more than just a baby herself,
a teenage mom raising kids with little help,
but she won't love those babies any less for all of that;
She's a mother-- that's all there is to that!

Chorus: Mothers! There's just something about 'em.
Mothers! Where would we be without 'em?*
Mothers! The poets rightly tout 'em.
Here's to mothers--they're all about love!
Here's to mothers--they're all about love!

She may have raised five kids, a husband, and some dogs and cats;
Perhaps she's never "worked,"--I mean, of course, except for that!
Perhaps at times, she wonders what else she might have been,
But she's a mother, and she loves what that means. (Chorus)

She may have had her own career and raised her family too
And keeps her youthful spirit even now at eighty-two.
Her kids just throw their hands up, 'cause ma won't act her age!
This great-grandmother is still on center stage! (Chorus)

Perhaps she never bore any children of her own;
She just takes in strays and tends to those who feel they are alone.
She gives them love and guidance, and they all know her name--
They call her "Mother,"--she's a mother, just the same. (Chorus)

- - -
*When I'm feeling silly, I substitute "..don't leave the womb without one!"

Anyway, good luck gathering songs for your in-laws. (I wouldn't recommend the old song "Mother In Law!"--unless your in-laws have great senses of humor!)

Subject: Lyr Add: MOTHER OF ALL
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 06:19 AM

Oh - that reminds me, I wrote a mother song quite a long time ago - the original is not very complimentary about the father I'm afraid (not my dad btw) - so I've changed it a bit so that now he's just away working. It needs to be a lively waltzy tune, but any that fit will do - and if you want to use it then you're welcome to hack it about however you please.
The song as it stands is about that moment when you realise that your mother is a person in her own right and not just your mother. In this case, the child is seeing the opportunities that her mother has missed, and is a bit cross with the mother for having made motherly sacrifices (could be changed to 'we're to blame' in which case it would become appreciative of said sacrifices).


Mother of All

Mother of all of us raising us good
and all of us fools and all
and father was working by night and by day
so we hardly saw him at all
the woman in you had been broken in two
it was only the mother we'd seen
til the night of the ball at the temperance hall
we saw the girl you must have been

It's a shame, such a shame
It's a beautiful dance but you're dancing it lame
all the same, you're to blame
there have always been chances to learn the new dances
but you always declined when they came.

Mother and all we were stood by the wall
us kids wide-eyed at it all
the music was swirling the dancers were whirling
the length of the temperance hall
and more than a few they were looking at you
and old Mrs Brown she was green
on the night of the ball at the temperance hall
we saw the girl you must have been

It's a shame, such a shame
It's a beautiful dance but you're dancing it lame
all the same, you're to blame
there have always been chances to learn the new dances
but you always declined when they came.


Kristin

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: kendall
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 08:38 AM

My Old Man by David Mallett

Subject: Lyr Add: M-O-T-H-E-R
From: SharonA
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 11:23 AM

M-O-T-H-E-R (A Word That Means The World To Me)
-composer unknown

M is for the million things she gave me
O means only that she's growing old
T is for the tears were shed to save me
H is for her heart of purest gold

E is for her eyes with love-light shining
R means right and right she'll always be
Put them all together they spell "MOTHER"
A word that means the world to me


Also, Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion"; "Mama Said [There'll Be Days Like This]" by the Shirelles; "Mama from the Train {throw mama from the train a kiss, a kiss]" sung by Patti Page; and "Mama Sang a Song" by Walter Brennan

For fathers: "Daddy's Little Girl"; "Daddy's Home" by Shep and the Limelites (NOT The Limeliters); "Daddy-O" by the Fontane Sisters; and "Daddy, What's a Train?" Also, "The Marvelous Toy" is a father-son story.

Then there's "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone; "Papa Loves Mambo [Mama Loves Mambo]" sung by Perry Como; and "Mama's Got a Squeezebox [Daddy Never Sleeps at Night]"!

Most of these are either in the DigiTrad or on the Lyrics World site (see the Mudcat FAQ for a link to Lyrics World).

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 01:03 PM

James James Morrisson Morrisson - a humorous anti-mother song.

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 01:09 PM

The Child's Song, by Murray McLauchlan

The other Canadians here will know who I mean...

Man! I'd kill for an mp3 of that song!!!

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 09:35 PM

Actually, I believe the composer of M-O-T-H-E-R is known. I'll look for it and try to post it.

It's a schmaltzy song, but if you like it, I'll also post the second verse.

Genie

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 09:42 PM

OK, how about "Your Mama Don't Dance And Your Daddy Don't Rock and Roll"?

Has anyone mentioned "Ma! (He's Making Eyes At Me)," "Yes, My Darling Daughter," "Danny's Song" (written by Kenny Loggins about his son), "When Doves Cry," "Papa Loves Mambo," "The Cruel Mother," etc.

Actually, many folk songs involve a mother/father offering advice to a son or daughter or the kid confiding in mom or dad, e.g., in "Barbara Allen," "Silver Dagger," "Railroad Boy," etc.

And, oh, don't forget "You Can't Chop Your Papa Up In Massachusetts" (Lizzie Borden)!

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Arjay
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 09:51 PM

How about Kisses Sweeter Than Wine?

(When I First Came To This Land is another song with a similar theme.)

There's also an old song called "My Mother's Bible."

Also an Italian song called, I think, "Mamma/Mama." Connie Francis recorded it, I think.

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,terrbear
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 10:09 PM

Hey thanks everyone! There are lots you mentioned that I hadnt thought of.. a lot of good ideas here :o)

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 10:11 PM

There's another thread that mentions the song Luna Mezzo Mare, an Italian song in which a young woman keeps asking her mother for advice about which young man to marry. "C'e la luna mezzo mare, Mama mia mi maritari ... ." Dean Martin also sings it in English as "The Butcher Boy." ...Oh, Mama, it's the butcher boy for me ... ."

You would probably recognize the tune if you heard it.

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: Armen Tanzerian
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 10:17 PM

Mother, the Queen of My Heart by Jimmie Rodgers.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE parody
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 04:09 AM

In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree (Parody)

In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree,
Where my mother came looking for me,
With a handful of switches,
She took down my britches
And, oh, how she gave it to me!

Well, I don't quite remember my sin,
But I'm sure that I did it again.
The outcome of which is
Mama cut lots of switches
In The Shade Of That Old Apple Tree!

(I heard the first half somewhere and made up the last half, because I only heard the first half.)

Sonja

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 06:14 PM

...reading this in a bit of a hurry but didn't see "Mom and Dad's Waltz," by Lefty Frizzell. Lyrics and chords available at Cowpie.com song corral.

Subject: Lyr Add: TO DADDY (Dolly Parton)
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 11:20 PM

Here's one I forgot about and then found by accident at "google" today.

Genie

TO DADDY

Mama never seemed to miss the finer things of life
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
She never wanted to be more than a mother and a wife
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
The only thing that seemed to be important in her life
Was to make our house a home and make us happy
Mama never wanted any more than what she had
If she did, she never did say so to daddy

He often left her all alone but she didn't mind the staying home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
And she never missed the flowers and the cards he never sent her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Being took for granted was a thing that she accepted
And she didn't need those things to make her happy
And she didn't even seem to notice that he didn't kiss and hold her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy

One morning we awoke just to find a note
That mama carefully wrote and left to daddy
And as we began to read it
Our ears could not believe it
The words that she had written there to daddy

She said: "Our kids are older now; they don't need me very much,
And I've gone in search of love I need so badly.
I have needed you so long but I just can't keep holding on."
She never meant to come back home;
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Goodbye to daddy

Written by : Dolly Parton
From the album : Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town
Label : Warner Bros Records 7599 27345-2 (1978)

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: Mudlark
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 12:43 AM

That Dolly P. song reminded me of another of hers that Emmylou recorded... Coat of Many Colors (that my Mama made for me.)

And a couple of lovely songs, both by Dave Morrison, I think...I Brought My Father With Me....and Hope (Robin's Song), covered beautifully by Small Potatoes...

Subject: RE: need songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 02:10 AM

Two other threads that relate to yours:

G'wan Home Your Mudder's Callin' - thread

God Bless Our Mother- thread

Also, there is a very funny British song, called, "She's Your Mum" or something like that -- something about, "she's your mum, even though she whacks your bum!" I wish I had the lyrics to that one.

Also, let me try to salvage the song I posted above:

TO DADDY

Mama never seemed to miss the finer things of life
If she did she never did say so to daddy
She never wanted to be more than a mother and a wife
If she did she never did say so to daddy
The only thing that seemed to be important to her life
Was to make our house a home and make us happy
Mama never wanted any more than what she had
If she did she never did say so to daddy
He often left her all alone but she didn't mind the staying home
If she did she never did say so to daddy
And she never missed the flowers and the cards he never sent her
If she did she never did say so to daddy
Being took for granted was a thing that she accepted
And she didn't need those things to make her happy
And she didn't seem to notice that he didn't kiss and hold her
If she did she never did say so to daddy
One morning we awoke just to find a note
That mama carefully wrote and left to daddy
And as we began to read it Our ears could not believe it
The words that she had written there to daddy
She said the kids are older now they don't need me very much
And I've gone in search of love I need so badly
I have needed you so long but I just can't keep holding on
She never meant to come back home
If she did she never did say so to daddy
Goodbye to daddy

Written by : Dolly Parton From the album : Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town Label : Warner Bros Records 7599 27345-2 (1978)

Subject: Lyr Add: MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, WIVES (Judy Small)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 03:13 AM

MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, WIVES
(by Judy Small)
As recorded by Judy Small on "Ladies & Gems" (1984)

CHORUS The first time it was fathers; The last time it was sons,
And in between your husbands Marched away with drums and guns,
And you never thought to question; You just went on with your lives,
'Cause all they taught you who to be Was mothers, daughters, wives.

1. You can only just remember The tears your mothers shed
As they sat and read their papers Through the mists and lists of dead,
And the gold frames held the photographs That mothers kissed each night,
And the door frames held the shocked And silent strangers from the fight. CHORUS

2. And it was twenty-one years later, With children of your own,
The trumpets sounded once again, And the soldier boys were gone,
And you drove their trucks and made their guns And tended to their wounds,
And at night you kissed their photographs And prayed for safe returns.

3. And after it was over You had to learn again
To be just wives and mothers, When you'd done the work of men,
So you worked to help the needy And you never trod on toes,
And the photos on the pianos Struck a happy family pose. CHORUS

4. And then your daughters grew to women And your little boys to men,
And you prayed that you were dreaming When the call came up again,
But you proudly smiled and held your tears As they bravely waved goodbye,
And the photos on the mantelpieces always made you cry.

5. And now you're getting older And in time the photos fade,
And in widowhood, you sit back And reflect on the parade,
Of the passing of your memories As your daughters change their lives,
Seeing more to our existence Than just mothers, daughters, wives. CHORUS

And you believed them.

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 19 Mar 23 - 09:58 AM

Just found this, pondering Mother's Day - can anyone think of any traditional songs on this theme?

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 19 Mar 23 - 10:26 AM

Mothering Sunday songs on MUDCAT THREAD: Any March Songs? https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=169401&messages=72#reply

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 19 Mar 23 - 10:31 AM

Ewan MacColl - My Old Man    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlJ6P9EkoWw

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 19 Mar 23 - 10:32 AM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 24 Mar 23 - 06:57 PM

"Father's Grave" & "My Old Man Said Follow the Van" -Clancy Brothers & Lou Killen    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlvWWLTbA_4

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: Sol
Date: 24 Mar 23 - 08:45 PM

"Father's Eyes" - Amy Grant (a great song!)
here

"My Mother's Eyes" - Connie Francis here

Subject: RE: songs about mothers and fathers
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Mar 23 - 05:46 AM

My Father Judy Collins

One of my all time favourite songs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R04d-XAA_EQ&ab_channel=EdmundStAustell