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AVAILABLE MAY 8, 2020.
Autobiographical or not, the song draws influence from Adkins’ personal experience as a father. “I think parents can carry a lot of shame, but it's a really hard job,” says Adkins. “I realize that more than ever now that I have two children of my own.”
Undeterred by the challenges of recording during a global pandemic, vocals and guitar were recorded live in Adkin’s spare bedroom; backup vocals, keys and violin parts were recorded remotely in Nashville. Altogether, the song is a gentle and poignant acknowledgement of mothers, regardless of imperfections. The introspective melody calls to mind country-Americana lullaby, with a poetic lyricism typical of Adkin’s work.
“This was a song that really began with just the first line,” says Adkins of the inspiration behind the tune. “My stepmom, who was the youngest of three girls, used to say that her mom could never just say her name without accidentally saying her sisters' names first. So then I thought, ‘that's just the order that their names are stored on your tongue.’ I don’t know that I really intended to write a serious song at first. I was kind of just thinking about trying to write a clever country song, but it sort of changed as I was working on it, into a song about grace.”
lyrics
Mothers don’t you call out the names of your children
In order from oldest to young?
That’s just the order
That their names are stored on your tongue
And oh it’s such a fine line you walk
Just to raise ‘em up right, and help ‘em be good
And though you may fail
Know that you did all you could
Scars will take longer to heal than the memories to fade
They’re with you now all the while
Mother don’t be afraid
To give yourself some grace tonight
I’ll forgive you
If you’ll do the same
Why should it matter
Who takes the blame?
Love keeps no score
Of rights and wrongs
The lines that were drawn in the sand
Won’t last for long, won’t last for long
Mother, let your love show
More than your worry or anxiety
I’ll always love you
And I know that you will love me
credits
released May 8, 2020
Written and recorded by Wilder Adkins
Mixed by Gar Ragland – Citizen Studios
Mastered by Nicholas Petersen - Track and Field Recording
Justin Cross is a great friend and a great songwriter to boot. This is his most recent album of original material, full of sweet melodies and thought provoking words. Enjoy! Wilder Adkins
Becca's writing is so rich, I fell in love instantly with her images and the stories she weaves here in Doxologies. One of my favorites of 2015. Wilder Adkins