In Water Over Stones
So I began to search for other women who were writing songs and singing about motherhood.
I read about the Motherlode Trio in Parenting magazine's March 2006 issue. I enjoyed their fun folk music and thought their lyrics on children and motherhood were more substantial than Tina's. Still I wanted more.
I needed to listen to music that ROCKED OUT and would help me get through a day of surly kids and household drudgery. I wanted lyrics that expressed the frustration and exhaustion of motherhood as much as the love we feel for our children.
So I turned to one my favorite bands, The Pretenders. Now I admit, I'd probably like Chrissie Hynde singing her grocery list, that's how much I love her voice. But the song "I'm a Mother" is powerful both lyrically (see below) and musically. The song was released on Last of the Independents
But since then, who's been rocking out about motherhood? Patti Smith? Kim Gordon? Exene Cervenka? Heck, what about Madonna or soon-to-be mom Gwen Stefani? I don't think so.
Why can't female rockers write/sing about motherhood? Why do we have to treat motherhood with soft lullabies and sentimental lyrics?
"I'm a Mother"
C. Hynde/J. F. T. Hood
I'm a mother
Treat me like a mother
You wanna suck on my breast
It's no surprise you do
I'm the source and the force you owe your life to, brother
Oh oh oh
I'm a mother
And I take like a mother
I understand blood, and I understand pain
There can be no life without it
Never doubt it
I'm a mother
I gave you all my money to help the family
But what you do to me
Don't humiliate me
Remember I'm a life-long member
Oh, oh, oh
I'm a mother
Treat me like a mother
In the middle of the night
I be deep in a dream
You fancy little company
You ony have to scream loud, brother
Oh, oh, oh
I'm a mother
And I fake like a mother
I understand time
And it isn't on my side
But to service mankind
I have to suffer his pride
Like a mother
Oh, oh, oh
You say your protection
Is proof of your affection
If I need security
I'll keep a gun on me
Oh
Don't barter with me
Don't barter with me
Little sacrifices
Go straight to heaven
But hunting season's over
This is the 20th Century
Oh
Don't barter with me
Oh, oh, oh
I'm a mother
And I ache like a mother
If there's a terrible crash
And bodies thrown everywhere
I'll wrap 'em up and carry 'em
If someone has to bury them
Brother
Oh, oh, oh
Call upon mother
I'm the vessel of life
I got the trauma here to prove it
When it's time for labour for you
Everybody move it
Like a mother
Oh, oh, oh
(Thanks to american-buddha.com for the lyrics)
