Song meaning of Motherless Child by Tom Jones (Ft. Portishead)

The song "Motherless Child" by Tom Jones featuring Portishead conveys a poignant and melancholic message. Through the repetition of the phrase "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child," the lyrics depict a deep feeling of loneliness and displacement. This emotion is further emphasized by the line "A long, long way from home," highlighting the physical and emotional distance from a place of belonging.

The lyrics also express a sense of longing for connection and purpose. The lines "Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone" and "And I know my time's not long" suggest a feeling of fragility and the realization of mortality. Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope conveyed in the line "Sometimes I feel like I'm heaven bound" and "And I wear a golden crown," symbolizing the desire for a sense of belonging and worthiness, perhaps in a spiritual or heavenly sense.

The repetition of the phrase "I'm about to die" conveys a sense of desperation and the fear of being left alone. This is further reinforced by the lines "I ain't got nobody to love me, hold me, or squeeze me," underscoring the absence of meaningful relationships.

Overall, "Motherless Child" embodies a profound emotional journey of isolation, longing, and the universal human desire for connection and belonging.