We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
supported by
Angie
Angie thumbnail
/

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Thirteen track solo acoustic album in card sleeve, with cover photography by Karen McBride.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bedlam Solo (acoustic album) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      £3 GBP or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

I crumpled up the creeds of Man
And ran out into the rain
Where I mourned for my lost virtue
But mourned more for what remained.
I'd give my grief to God
But I'm just too proud to pray.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

I'm the busted bulb in your lighthouse
I'm your guilt dashed on the cliff.
I read about perpetuity:
I hope it's just a myth.
Some people talk of progress
But all I see is decay.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

I pin my hopes on the future
Like martyrs to a tree
But they haven't yet built the religion that can hold me.
I hear tomorrow will be better,
I heard the same thing yesterday.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

OMITTED VERSE (present in "Youth" version, for some reason forgotten in this recording...)
Each night I go to sleep
The way a Christian goes to lions.
God can take my body,
I'm leaving my soul to science.
I'm sure He had a plan in Man
But something's gone agley.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

There's a stranger in this mirror,
Or is it just stained glass?
I've changed my face so many times
But I wish I could change the past.
There are more epithets than cigarettes
Stubbed out in my ashtray.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

I'm a gentleman, a charlatan,
A pledge from a poison pen.
I lately made a big mistake:
Told the truth and sounded fake.
My friends are all long gone,
There's none left to betray.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

I keep my guardian angel close
But always gagged and bound.
Can someone please let me know
The way off this misery-go-round?
I long to see the spin on me
In St Peter's Dossier.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

I'm told there'll be no jobs until somebody dies
But you know a salary is is just another term
For "consolation prize"
So I'm plodding through Perdition
Like some latter day Dante.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

Now I've told you all my thoughts
But I still haven't seen that penny,
You ask if there were bad times:
Yeah... MANY
I long to say I love you
But it's such a damned cliche.
Mother, why did you raise me this way?

credits

from Bedlam Solo (acoustic album), released October 1, 2015

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Louis Barabbas image

Louis Barabbas Manchester, UK

Louis Barabbas is a writer, performer and firefighter, best known for caustic love songs and energetic stage shows.

contact / help

Contact Louis Barabbas

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Louis Barabbas, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now