Songbook

You Are Your Mother's child

By Conor Oberst

Key of A

[Intro]
A   C#7  D   A   D   A   Bm   E

[Verse]
    A                    C#7
I remember the day you appeared on this earth
     D                        A
With eyes like the ocean, got blood on my shirt
     D                                 A
From my camera angle it looked like it hurt
         Bm                 E
But your mama had a big old smile
A                           C#7
We drove you home, saw your yellowing skin
D                             A
Packed a few things and drove you back again
D                          A
Stayed up all night worrying, wondering
Bm                     E
What was gonna make it better

[Pre-Chorus]
   Bm7                     E
Broken bones heal when you set them right
         A          Amaj7          F#m
Get your fine tooth comb from the barbicide
    D                   E
Our love's a protective poison

[Chorus]
     D            Dmaj7    Bm
Well you are your mother's child
    A                Amaj7 F#m
And she'll keep you for a while
    D                           E                      A  D  A  D  A  D  A D A
But someday you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own

[Verse]
A                  C#7
Halloween costume, looking real cute
          D                        A
With your pillowcase full, in your astronaut suit
         D                    A
But your cousin the cowboy is eyeing your loot
Bm                E
Better watch your Snickers bar
A                       C#7
Out on the diamond, now you're up to bat
D                          A
Chewing your big league, adjusting your hat
D                  A
Taking a swing and hearing it crack
Bm                 E
Look at that apple fly

[Pre-Chorus]
Bm7                   E
Tears will dry if you give them time
         A      Amaj7               F#m
Life's a roller coaster, keep your arms inside
Bm                 E
Fear that's a big emotion

[Chorus]
     D              Dmaj7  Bm
Well you are your mother's child
    A                 Amaj7 F#m
And she'll keep you for a while
        D                       E                      A  D  A  D  A  D  A D A
But one day you'll be grown and then you'll be on your own

[Verse]
A                    C#7
Posing for pictures, cap and a gown
D                        A
Summer is coming, you're driving around town
D                             A
Everyone's asking what you're gonna do now
  Bm                       E
I know you're gonna make a splash
    A                        C#7
And find you a sweetheart to treat you so kind
D                        A
Invite her to dinner and kiss her goodnight
     D                              A
What I couldn't teach you, you will soon realize
Bm                        E
She's the only thing that matters

[Pre-Chorus]
Bm7                                E
Although he's a bastard, make your papa proud
       A          Amaj7      F#m
Your a fine young man and I got no doubt
     Bm                   E
That you're gonna do this better

[Chorus]
      D              Dmaj7  Bm
Cause you are your mother's child
A            Amaj7 F#m
She had you for a while
    D                             E                    A Amaj7 F#m
But now that you're grown, you're making it on your own
     D                              E                    A  D  A  D  A  D  A D A
Well now that you're grown, may you never feel this alone