Mama’s Song

‘Mama’s Song’ is a reggae cover of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ with intro and verse from ‘This Train’ (original on YouTube, alternate on Wikipedia) by Bob Marley & The Wailers. Both songs mean a lot to me, and I’ve been toying with the idea of this medley for some 10 years.

When I was just a kid
My mama used to sing this song
Now I’ve grown to be a man
It still lingers deep within my soul
I said it lingers deep within my soul

‘This Train’, Bob Marley & The Wailers

The intro to ‘This Train’ always spoke to me, whether it was Bunny Wailer singing on the original cut, or Bob Marley on the alternate. It has always reminded me of how my mom would sing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ when I was a kid. Both songs have only come to mean more to me as I’ve grown older. These experiences of love that we have from our childhood resonate throughout our lives. They ground us when we are at risk of becoming untethered. The songs our parents sing to us also teach us what is important to them and should be to us.

When I finally recorded this song, I was shocked at how dark the lyrics to ‘You Are My Sunshine’ were. Really, the song is about love lost and how the writer refuses to let his lover move on. However, I knew the song as more of a lullaby, as I think many others do. As such, I chose to omit a lot of the original, darker lyrics. I felt a mournful-sounding bridge would provide a good contrast and space for resolution in the second half.

I dedicate this reggae cover of ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to all the mamas who sang this to their kids, all the kids who had this song sung to them by their mama, and all those who have experienced love and love lost.