The ballad of Mighty Jim and his Mother  

Written and performed by Sean Selig McMahon

mighty jim was stubborn and needless of lovers

so he put into his head an idea that was made of lead

and the neighbors heard a bang as he sang his song of love,

but knew not what kind of love he was singing of.

and his mother cried completely when she came into the kitchen,

she crawled to his hand

and she kissed her one son’s hand,

and she hollered out to god, Is he with you in your land?

are you satisfied with taking all I had?

The children of the neighborhood were dazed and bereaved

They watched as they led the mother of their friend

away, but then she turned to them to say, “Dear children, play

I swear by god one day I’ll be okay.”

and they sang to their mothers

and gave them flowers

and they kissed their fathers

and their sisters and brothers

and they came into a circle

to perform a miracle

they danced in the memory of their friend.

mighty jim, he saw from heaven all that they had done.

and he tapped upon god’s shoulder, whispered, “Let me see my mother,”

And he picked up a pair of wings so he could fly on down

& he descended saintly back towards his town

His mother knew him quickly and she threw her arms around

Jim said, “Don’t be worried. We’re all just short stories.”

And he looked her in the eye, and he said, “Mother, can’t you see?

You’re breathing and you love, that’s all you need.”

And he sang to his mother

& he gave her flowers

and he kissed his father

and his sisters & brothers

and they came into a circle

to celebrate the miracle

they danced in the memory of their kin.

the mother found the children and she took them in her arms

she blessed them all from harm, & that their lives be well & long

and they took her by the hand and they said, “Mother, you can stand.

We’re only meant to live as long and as well as we can,

I hope you understand, I hope you can.”

And they sang to their mother,

and they gave her flowers

and they kissed their father

and their sisters & brothers

and they came into a circle

to celebrate the miracle

they danced to the music in their skin.

the mother, she wept quietly and she lifted up her eyes

her heart felt lighter, the skies a bit brighter.

& she turned to the children, to say, “Children, play;

it’s a beautiful day, everything’s ok, everything’s ok,

everything in every single way.”

& she sang to her children

and she gave them flowers

and she kissed her lover

and her sisters & brothers

and they came into a circle

to proclaim the miracle

they danced to the music that always had been.