Story Behind The Song

True story. See long description. Actually I did play guitar for mom before she passed on and received an apology.

Song Description

Young boy wants to learn guitar, mother says that it's only played in bars and buys him a trumpet to play in the church bands.

Lyrics

MAMA WOULDN'T LET ME PLAY GUITAR
copyright Rae Welch 2006

Mama wouldn't let me play guitar
She said every time you bang those wires
They know right where you are
I knew she was referrin' to
The devil and his demon crrew
She claimed they stoked their fires
Down at the corner bar

Start practicin' this trumpet that I bought
Someday you'll play it with the angels
Oh what a wondrous thought
Well I blew that thing 'til she passed on
But not long after she was gone
Snuck out and bought this here guitar
Still afraid I might get caught

Now I'm playin' every night in every bar that I can find
I've managed to leave mama and that trumpet far behind
If I'd only started sooner by now I'd be a star
But mama wouldn't let me play guitar

The other night me and the boys was playin' hot
In another honky tonk
In a town I've now forgot
Thought I heard my mama say
I feared you might end up this way
I can see the devil down there now
Warmin' up your spot

Mama can't you understand
My whole life's in this country band
Now you have Gabriel to play that horn
Please shut your pearly gates
And leave me to whatever fate
This old guitar and me were born

Repeat chorus

And even though I pleaded, my pleadin' went unheeded
Mama wouldn't let me play guitar