Story Behind The Song
I found this old mug in a friend's vacation home. It was purchased in the 1960's by her grandmother. It was so old - and cracked - and stained with coffee rings. I thought about the history of the mug - and how it was not so different from the history of the family - chipped and bruised - but loved just the same.
Song Description
This song compares a tattered and loved mug to the imperfections we all have in our families.
| Song Length |
3:35 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Folk - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Poignant |
Subject |
Dysfunctional Family, General |
| Similar Artists |
Shawn Colvin |
Language |
English |
Lyrics
See the stains in a mug after years of use,
Not perfectly colored but chipped and bruised
Once shiny and flawless now dull and grey
With weather from wear growing everyday.
All of these stains here to stay
all of these stains, won't go away
All of these stains, Who's to blame
All of these stains, what would you change?
Thin rings from old sips speak from ancient pores
Like a family with history of dinner time wars
They're cracked and imperfect, but you love them just the same
They hold equal parts of joy and pain
Chorus:
Marriage and love and birth and death
Birthdays and Holiday regrets
Without them, it's not the same.
Laughter and love and guilt and tears
Growing apart throughout the years
Nothing you do, can remove these stains
Repeat Chorus