Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was Heaven-sent?

Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creeping like a nun
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run

Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest

Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
See how they run

Lady Madonna lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head

Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn't come
Thursday night you stocking needed mending
See how they run

Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by Nick Number

Lady Madonna Lyrics as written by Paul Mccartney John Lennon

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Lady Madonna song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

47 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment

    This is about how amazing it is that single mothers can keep it together and make ends meet, jackass!

    Bite Meon May 09, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dont think its about a prostitute, just a struggling single mom with no way to support her kids...

    the refrences to the days are a way of emphasising how her life is a long, slow struggle.

    Friday night srrives without a suitcase is just a refrence to how she has nothing

    scar_eireon June 16, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love the music to this song-- One of the best. (in my opinion anyways).

    anna118kon March 09, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "the Beatles released "Lady Madonna" as a classic rock n' roll track after releasing two albums full of studio tricks and lush overdubs. The tune is from a recording titled "Bad Penny Blues" by Humphrey Lyttelton, and bootlegs from this era reflect the frequent rehearsal of that song during "Lady Madonna" sessions. In an interview with the magazine Musician in 1986, Paul said the song was a celebration of motherhood, and the idea came from a photo in an African magazine." from smackbomb.com/beatles

    it's not about a prostitute.

    weezerific:cutleryon June 17, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song reminds me of my Mum - I was about six when it came out. She wasn't a single mum, but she had to cope with a lot, too many kids, not much money, and my Dad made her miserable.

    Actually, it's a song for all mums everywhere, that work so hard to keep things together. I don't see that it refers to prostitution, rather each day comes and goes with something different, so chaotic it's hard to keep up.

    Respect to all mums, especially single ones, and to prostitutes too, who are doing their best for their kids.

    jimqukon January 22, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song like many other Beatles, in my opinion, could have a double meaning if you look for it. Could be a whore, but definitely single mother. I like how they use "See how they'll run" to mean the stockings and the children. That is genius.

    My Preciouson July 13, 2007   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I think this song is about single mother on welfare.

    Lady Madonna, children at your feet Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
    Who find the money when you pay the rent She has no idea the money comes from Did you think that money was heaven sent the tax payers

    Friday night arrives without a suitcase Another boy friend who is not going to stay Sunday morning creeping like a nun Going to church on sundays for more hand-out Monday's child has learned to tie his Her older children are getting street smart bootlegs See how they run they runing from the cops

    Lady Madonna, baby at your breast Wonders how you manage to feed the rest she has no idea who is going to take care of Pa pa pa pa... her kids. See how they run

    Lady Madonna lying on the bed This is the saturday, she is partying with the new Listen to the music playing in your head boy friend, lying in the bed, listening to the music, while she is giving head

    Tuesday afternoon is never ending She is out of money, waiting inpatiently for her check

    Wednesday morning papers didn't come The welfare check did not show up Thursday night you stocking needed No money, she has to do with what she has. mending See how they run

    Lady Madonna, children at your feet Wonder how you manage to make ends meet

    mahalon February 26, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    talking about Mary, and how did she always manage to look so goddamn holy even though she had a child and a life to lead. Maybe? I dont know...

    chelzadoron March 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    IT IS ABOUT A PROSTITUTE.

    ladymadonna123on August 24, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think Paul was being coy. The references to prostitution seem very clear to me.

    DJacques75on May 25, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Corpse I Fell In Love With
Gadjits, The
He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
Album art
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.