A child crying for his mother – Part 2

A month or so ago, I did a Stuff post on the origins of the Hare Krishna chant. I had written that the chant was supposed to replicate the crying of a child for its mother. Well, my husband, who is a big fan of the Stuff Page, reminded me that the single most powerful song of filial pain was the song John Lennon did with the incredible Plastic Ono Band called Mother. I wonder if you know this song? I read that John Lennon was undergoing a kind of ‘scream therapy’ at the time and that the recording of this song was an extension of that. Whether or not that is true, this howl of existential pain is so raw and direct and absolutely wracked, it just blows my mind.

Much love, Susie x 

MOTHER

Mother, you had me, but I never had you
I wanted you, you didn't want me
So I, I just got to tell you
Goodbye, goodbye

Father, you left me, but I never left you
I needed you, you didn't need me
So I, I just got to tell you
Goodbye, goodbye

Children, don't do what I have done
I couldn't walk and I tried to run
So I, I just got to tell you
Goodbye, goodbye

By John Lennon