Eminem

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yeah
I know sometimes
Things may not always make sense to you right now
But hey
What Daddy always tell you?
Straighten up, little soldier
Stiffen up that upper lip
What you cryin' about?
You got me

[Verse 1]
Hailie, I know you miss your Mom, and I know you miss your Dad
When I'm gone, but I'm tryin' to give you the life that I never had
I can see you're sad, even when you smile, even when you laugh
I can see it in your eyes, deep inside you wanna cry
'Cause you're scared, I ain't there, Daddy's wit' you in your prayers
No more cryin', wipe them tears, Daddy's here, no more nightmares
We gon' pull together through it, we gon' do it
Lainie, Uncle's crazy, ain't he? Yeah, but he loves you, girl, and you better know it
We're all we got in this world when it spins, when it swirls
When it whirls, when it twirls, two little beautiful girls
Lookin' puzzled, in a daze, I know it's confusin' you
Daddy's always on the move, Mama's always on the news
I try to keep you sheltered from it, but somehow it seems
The harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on me
All the things growin' up as Daddy that he had to see
Daddy don't want you to see, but you see just as much as he did
We did not plan it to be this way, your mother and me
But things have got so bad between us, I don't see us ever bein'
Together ever again, like we used to be when we was teenagers
But then, of course, everything always happens for a reason
I guess it was never meant to be
But it's just somethin' we have no control over, and that's what destiny is
But no more worries, rest your head and go to sleep
Maybe one day we'll wake up and this'll all just be a dream
[Chorus 1]
Now hush, little baby, don't you cry
Everything's gonna be alright
Stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told ya
Daddy's here to hold ya through the night
I know Mommy's not here right now and we don't know why
We feel how we feel inside
It may seem a little crazy, pretty baby
But I promise Mama's gon' be alright

[Verse 2]
Heh, it's funny
I remember back one year when Daddy had no money
Mommy wrapped the Christmas presents up and stuck 'em under the tree
And said some of 'em were from me 'cause Daddy couldn't buy 'em
I'll never forget that Christmas, I sat up the whole night crying
'Cause Daddy felt like a bum—see, Daddy had a job
But his job was to keep the food on the table for you and Mom
And at the time, every house that we lived in
Either kept gettin' broken into and robbed or shot up on the block
And your Mom was savin' money for you in a jar
Tryin' to start a piggy bank for you so you could go to college
Almost had a thousand dollars, 'til someone broke in and stole it
And I know it hurt so bad it broke your Mama's heart
And it seemed like everything was just startin' to fall apart
Mom and Dad was arguin' a lot
So Mama moved back on to Chalmers in the flat, one-bedroom apartment
And Dad moved back to the other side of 8 Mile on Novara
And that's when Daddy went to California with his CD
And met Dr. Dre, and flew you and Mama out to see me
But Daddy had to work, you and Mama had to leave me
Then you started seein' Daddy on the TV
And Mama didn't like it
And you and Lainie were too young to understand it
Papa was a rolling stone, Mama developed a habit
And it all happened too fast for either one of us to grab it
I'm just sorry you were there and had to witness it firsthand
'Cause all I ever wanted to do was just make you proud
Now I'm sittin' in this empty house just reminiscin'
Lookin' at your baby pictures, it just trips me out
To see how much you both have grown, it's almost like you're sisters now
Wow, guess you pretty much are, and Daddy's still here
Lainie, I'm talkin' to you too, Daddy's still here
I like the sound of that, yeah, it's got a ring to it, don't it?
Shh! Mama's only gone for the moment
[Chorus 1]
Now hush, little baby, don't you cry
Everything's gonna be alright
Stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told ya
Daddy's here to hold ya through the night
I know Mommy's not here right now and we don't know why
We feel how we feel inside
It may seem a little crazy, pretty baby
But I promise Mama's gon' be alright

[Chorus 2]
And if you ask me to, Daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbird
I'ma give you the world
I'ma buy a diamond ring for you, I'ma sing for you
I'll do anything for you to see you smile
And if that mockingbird don't sing and that ring don't shine
I'ma break that birdie's neck
I'll go back to the jeweler who sold it to ya
And make him eat every carat, don't fuck with Dad! (Haha)

If you're familiar with the work of the rapper Eminem, you'll know that his music is not always for the faint of heart. Eminem became famous for his explicit lyrics, his raw and often brutal depictions of his life, and his take-no-prisoners approach to rap music.

However, one of Eminem's most touching and personal songs is the track "Mockingbird" from his album Encore. Unlike much of his other work, "Mockingbird" is not about violence, drugs, or explicit sex. Instead, it's a song dedicated to his daughters and his struggles to be a good father in the midst of marital turbulence and personal struggles.

About Mockingbird

Written and produced by Eminem himself, "Mockingbird" is a track that stands out from the rest of his body of work. The song features a melodic version of the classic lullaby "Hush, Little Baby," and the lyrics are a deeply personal account of Eminem's failed marriage and his relationship with his daughters.

The song starts with a verse where Eminem apologizes to his daughters for not always being there for them due to his hectic work schedule and personal struggles. He admits that fame and success have brought their own challenges and acknowledges the difficulties his family has faced due to his public image and his ex-wife's drug addiction.

Throughout the song, Eminem opens up about the struggles of co-parenting with his ex-wife and the challenges of trying to provide for his family while also pursuing his music career. He acknowledges the mistakes he has made as a father and the damage that has been caused by his own personal demons.

"Mockingbird" is a deeply moving song that highlights Eminem's more vulnerable and introspective side. The song shows that, despite his larger-than-life persona, he is still a human being who has faced his share of struggles and hardships.

The simplicity of the instrumental track is what helps to focus the listener on Eminem's lyrics as he pours his heart out. The addition of the "Hush, Little Baby" melody also adds to the emotional weight of the song, giving it a sense of nostalgia and wistfulness.

In a world where hip-hop music is often criticized for its explicit lyrics and superficial themes, "Mockingbird" is a refreshing change of pace. It shows that even the most rough-around-the-edges rappers have a tender side, and that music can be a powerful way to connect with others on a deeper level.

All in all, "Mockingbird" is a song that stands the test of time, and one that reminds us of the importance of family and the struggles that come with being a parent. Whether you're an Eminem fan or not, this is a track that is well worth the listen.

• Release Date: November 12, 2004
• Artist: Eminem