"Mamma Told Me" lyrics

Mamma told me
"Only lonely people gonna hold me
Only those who can't help themselves, yeah
Only those who will need my shelter"
Mamma tells me

I believe, I believe in mamma trying
Believe in father lying
I believe in lovers' crying
I believe in education, nurture and good education
Mamma gave me music lessons
Now I play the saddest songs
Is that really what mamma wanted?
For her baby to be so haunted?
Is that really what she intended?
Mamma said this:

"Hold me closer
Even though I'm a Mamma"
She told me, "You're just lonely
Help me help ya
Even though I know you're just helpless"
Mamma said this

I believe, I believe in conversation
In good communicating
I believe in letter-writing
But now all I write are melodies (melodies)
Simple, sweet, that simply haunt me
Little rhythms that scold and hold me
Only 'cause I know they are lonely
Mamma told me

(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa)
(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa)
(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

Mamma help me, I'm helpless, I'm helpless
I'm tempted, I'm tempted
Can't you see it's only loneliness?
And it's helpless, oh it's helpless

I took what mamma said and kept it forefront in my head
But now that mamma's dead

I love how you are lonely
Help me help you hold me
I take what mamma told me
And I read what mamma wrote me
And I read it to you slowly
And you told me she was lonely
Oh my mamma, she was lonely
And that's all she really told me

Mamma told me
"Only lonely people gonna hold me
Only those who can't help themselves, yeah
Only those who will need my shelter"
Mamma tells me

(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa)
(Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa)
I believe in mammas trying
I believe in fathers lying
I believe in lovers' crying
I believe in education
I believe in music lessons
I believe in conversation
I believe in letter-writing
I believe in mammas trying
I believe in fathers lying
I believe in mammas crying
Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa
Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maa