Eminem’s “Mockingbird” Lyrics: A Father’s Promise

Eminem‘s “Mockingbird,” released in 2004 on his album “Encore,” stands out for its emotional depth and raw honesty, particularly in its poignant message to his daughters about their challenges as his children.

The lyrics of “Mockingbird” serve as Eminem‘s apology for the turbulent circumstances surrounding their upbringing, shaped by his fame and notorious public persona. He addresses the complexities of fatherhood amidst his career and personal struggles.

The title “Mockingbird” draws from the innocence of childhood, symbolizing his daughters’ purity akin to that depicted in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Eminem uses this metaphor to promise his daughters the world and shield them from life’s harsh realities.

Filled with vivid imagery and heartfelt confessions, “Mockingbird” reveals Eminem‘s acknowledgement of the pain his daughters may endure due to his absence and the challenges of growing up in his shadow. He expresses love and commitment, pledging to do whatever it takes to bring them happiness.

A standout line in the song encapsulates its essence: “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.” Here, Eminem vows to provide for and protect his daughters, emphasizing his dedication as an artist and a father.

Mockingbird Lyrics

[Chorus]

Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird
I’mma give you the world
I’mma buy a diamond ring for you
I’mma 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’mma 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 (ha ha)

[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
The harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on me
And I know you’re getting older, and it’s getting harder for me
To sit in here and see you grow up so fast, and I know
That you got your own life, and I’m just a part of it
But I’m just so glad that you’re in it, but I’m just so sad that I’m not in it
‘Cause I can’t be in it, ’cause I’m just so busy
But I’m just so glad that you’re in it, but I’m just so sad that I’m not in it

[Chorus]

Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird
I’mma give you the world
I’mma buy a diamond ring for you
I’mma 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’mma 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 (ha ha)

[Verse 2]

It’s funny, I remember back one year when daddy had no money
Mommy wrapped the Christamas 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 cryin
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 getting broken into and robbed or shot up on the block
And your mom, was saving money for you in a jar trying to start a piggy bank for you
So you could go to college, almost had a thousand dollars
Till someone broke in and stole it and I know it hurt so bad it broke your mamma’s heart
And it seemed like everything was just starting to fall apart
Mom and dad was arguing a lot so mama moved back on the chalmers in a 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 seeing daddy on the TV, and mama didn’t like it
And you and Lainie were too young to understand it
That 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 first hand
Cause all I ever wanted to do was just make you proud
Now I’m sittin in this empty house, just reminiscing
Looking at your baby pictures it just trips me out
To see how much you both have grown, it’s almost like your sisters now
Wow, I guess you pretty much are and daddy’s still here
Lainie I’m talking to you too, Daddy’s still here
I like the sound of that, yeah it’s got a ring to it, don’t it?
Shhh, mama’s only gone for the moment

[Outro]

And if you ask me to, Daddy’s gonna buy you a mocking bird
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 the ring don’t shine
I’ma break that birdies neck
I’ll go back to the jeweler who sold it to ya
And make him eat every karat, don’t fuck with dad