Metallica Mama Said
Mama, she has taught me well Told me when I was young Son, your life’s an open book Don’t close it ’fore it’s done The brightest flame burns quickest That’s what I heard her say A son’s heart’s owed to mother But I must find my way Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or, let this heart be still “Rebel,” my new last name Wild blood in my veins Apron strings around my neck The mark that still remains I left home at an early age Of what I heard was wrong I never asked forgiveness But what is said is done Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or let this heart be still Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave So let this heart be still Mama, now I’m coming home I’m not all you wished of me A mother’s love for her son Unspoken, help me be I took your love for granted And all the things you said to me I need your arms to welcome me But a cold stone’s all I see Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or let this heart be still Let my heart go Mama, let my heart go You never let my heart go So let this heart be still Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave So let this heart be still
"Mama Said" is a country rock ballad by American heavy metal band Metallica from their sixth album, Load, with music and lyrics by James Hetfield (music credited to Hetfield/Ulrich). The lyrics represent a man or boy who is learning to find his own way in life away from his mother. The song is directly written about Hetfield's difficult relationship with his mother, who died of cancer when he was 16 years old.