Favourite mothering songs

Here are the lyrics to some of my favourite mothering songs (more to come).

The first two are by Lisa Miller - a singer/songwriter from Melbourne. The third is by Lori McKenna, who is from the US. The fourth is by Laura Nyro, so was probably written in the 70s.

Lisa Miller - I Love You A Thousand Dollars

Well I admit there are times
I don't feel cut out for this game
Busier than I've ever been
While bored out of my brain
And as unglamorous as it may seem
To welcome the sound of a pre-school theme
And reading the paper is something to get excited about

Go on and make me ashamed to say
There's nothing more beautiful to me
The impossible softness of the sin
The part underneath his unformed chin

I could tell you

Well you ask why we do it
Why we put ourselves through it
Is there an intelligent case
Or is it as you suspect
For the survival of the human race
Well pick off that crumbed suit and off you go
To coffee with a friend or a new show
Whenever there's not much more to get excited about

Go on and make me ashamed...

'Cause I live in sleepy hollow
There's tears but joy follows
And it's so far from here
I could tell you..

So why don't you just turn the other way
Go back to your friends with so much to say
And try and find something to get excited about

Go on and make me ashamed...

And it opens a well of emotional colour
He calls out I love you a thousand dollars

I love you a thousand dollars
Like it's the biggest thing in the world
And it's so far from here

I could tell you...


Little Stars - Lisa Miller

Sometimes I feel like those little stars
We pinned above your bed
Now falling down by the bed
I just want to lie there
Forgotten and quiet
Away from this riot

But I'll never break your little heart
I'll never break your little heart

As constant as the old arguments
There goes another glass crashing down to the floor
Your face so flushed with innocence
How could I ever say
I can't take any more

'Cause I'll never break your little heart
I'll never break your little heart

And though your fingernail moon is gone
For most of the day you know it's there anyway
Just like my love for you shines on
Though eclipsed it may seem
By the things that we say

'Cause I'll never break your little heart
I'll never break your little heart

Your heart
What more is there
Your sweet heart
What more is there

Unglamorous - Lori McKenna

Understated, overrated side
Carnival ride
Curtains faded, threadbare rug's real nice
The baby stayed up all night

How wonderful
Rhinestones on black satin shoes
How beautiful
The one's I never get to use
No frills, no fuss, perfectly us
Unglamorous

Frozen dinner, jelly glass of wine
Tastes just fine
Two bread winners, five kids in short time
With eyes just like mine
How wonderful

Crowded dinners at the kitchen table
How beautiful
One TV set - no cable
No frills, no fuss, perfectly us
Unglamorous

No diamonds in our bathtub rings
Peanut butter on everything
No frills, no fuss - unglamorous
Unglamorous

How wonderful
A gravel road leading to a front door
How beautiful
Old wool socks on a bedroom floor
No frills, no fuss, perfectly us -unglamorous
Unglamorous
Unglamorous


Laura Nyro - To A Child

What is life?
Did you read about it
In a magazine?
Silent lies
Never give you what you need
Is there hope
For a mother
And an elf on speed?

Kiss the sun hello
Child in the park
Make your life a lovin' thing
I'm so tired
You're so wired
And I'm a poet
Without a poem
And you are my child

So serene
Read about us in a magazine
Then why are we
Crying by the washing machine?
Let's run away child
And follow a dream

Kiss the sun hello
Child in the park
Make your life a lovin' thing
The park is late
The wind is strong
The trees have eyes
And you are my song
My lovely song

What is love?
Child I am here
to stand by you
And you will find
Your own way hard and true
And I'll find mine
'Cause I'm growin' with you

Kiss the sun hello
God & Goddess
Make his life a lovin' thing
And if I smile as you reach
above the climbin' bars
To see the stars
You are my love
Child my love