'Rufus Is A Tit-Man'
(L. Wainwright III)
Requited (1975, CBS)
Loudon writes this song "in both celebration and envy of his breast-feeding offspring," (Elm Street magazine, September 1998) back in Rufus' earlier days of life.

Huge thanks to Jenny for submitting the lyrics!

Rufus is a tit man
sucking on his mamma's gland
sucking on the nipple
its sweeter than the ripple wine
yes its sweeter than the wine
you can tell by the way the boy burps
that its gatta taste fine
Marco Polo craved the spices, silk
and Rufus craves the mama's milk
no moo cow, no billy goat
is gonna get the babys vote
come on mamma
come on and open up your shirt
yeah you got the goods mamma
give the little boy a squirt
from my lungs and from my liver
i do definitely fear
i like to suck on cigarettes
and drink the wine and beer
the doctor says im oral
and i believe its true
ah son you look so satisfied and I envy you
So put Rufus on the left one
and put me right on the right
and like Romulus and Remus
We'll suck all night
come on mamma
come on and lactate a while
yeah look down on us mamma
and flash us a madonna smile

Jenny also says: The Song is Obviously about Rufus' eating habits as a baby. Also if you're curious Romulus and Remus are from Greek Mythology... They were the sons of Mars, and they were both the eponymous founders of Rome...and they both were reared and 'suckled' by a wolf.

'First Born'
(K. McGarrigle)
Dancer With Bruised Knees (1977, Hannibal/Ryko)
McGarrigle Sisters

A song written by Rufus' mother Kate McGarrigle. The title is self explanatory.

These lyrics and more can be found at the McGarrigle Sisters site.

The silver spoon's in the mouth
Baby clothes are baby-blue
Nothing's ever handed down
Everything's brand new
Newspaper notices heralding that great event
Daddy's buddies send the flowers
Mother's friends have baby showers
Welcoming that Heaven sent

That first born son is always the one
The first to be called and the last to come
He's his mother's favorite, his grandmother's too
He'll break their hearts and he'll break yours too

For he's the first to creep and the first to crawl
The first to walk and the first to fall
Every bruise is kissed, every cry is heard
Every doubt's cast out with a soothing word

'Cause he's that first born son, he's that special one
No matter what comes next, no matter what comes along
Be it another boy or a sweet baby girl
The family's the oyster and he is the pearl

Some of them make it, some of them don't
Some of them can't, others won't grow up

In the bible of old, according to Exodus
Every first born son of a Jew got axed
But the one who survived with the help of God's hand
Led his people to the promised land

Yes he's that first born son, he's that son of a gun
Just hates to walk, just loves to run
He loves to run as fast as he can
With life held tight in the palm of his hand

'Father/Daughter Dialogue'
(L. Wainwright III)
Grown Man (1995, Virgin)
Loudon Wainwright III

A duet sung by Loudon and his daughter Martha about Loudon's relationship with the his children while they were growing up. (Thanks to Daphne Spanbauer!)

Martha sings:
Dearest daddy with your songs
Do you hope the right your wrongs?
You can't undo what has been done
To all your daughters and your son
The facts are in and we have found
That basically you're not around

Somewhat sentimentally
You sing of a father and son
When all you do from him is run
You like to think that things are okay
By singing things that you should say
Dearest daddy with your songs
Do you hope to right your wrongs?

Loudon sings:
Darling daughter can't you see
The guy singing the songs ain't me
He's someone people wish I was
What I can't do this dude does
They're just my version how I feel
And you don't feel the same I know
How it went down or it should go
My mistakes you label wrongs
I expiate my guilt with songs
Why I'm uptight or not around
Those whys continue to confound
Darling Daughter can't you see
The guy singing the songs ain't me

'Laurel & Hardy'
(M. Wainwright)
Martha Wainwright EP, (1999, independent)
Martha Wainwright

A song by sister Martha about her relationship with her brother. (Thanks to Rachel Evans!)

I wrote this song late last night
About my brother in all his might
And you'll be so very kind to listen
to these words I've written
About the boy who seems quite smitten
and like none other you'll find

'Cause baby I know the reasons why
We were unkind

He's Laurel, he's Hardy
He's the life of the party
Goes out for food

'Cause baby I know the reasons why
We were unkind
But I gotta know why...

3 years before me you came out and cried
Boy, not a girl, but you get all their goddamn pride
You are so very thin
And I always wanted to fit into your pants
Photogenic at first glance
But got something missing for romance

We share a mother, we do
? Help with a "Rhapsody in Blue"

'Cause baby I know the reasons why
We were unkind

First born son - son of a gun
Oh I love you even more than any song begun

You've got a lot of friends
But I'm your sister, baby
And nothing can beat that!

'Take Good Care of the Poor Boy'
(J. Ferguson)
Between the Bridges (1999, murderecords)
Sloan

Song composed by a band member concerned about Rufus' lifestyle (drinking and partying all the time.) The band, 3/4 also fans of Rufus', befriended the man during a tour in Canada in the fall of 1998 where Rufus opened for the majority of the cross-country dates.

You've got lots to say, don't take this too seriously
(There's plenty of believers)
We hang on every word, almost deliriously
(Yes, we're the believers)
You could say it's borderline fanatic
Hit the chord, we're basically ecstatic
We can't afford to lose you can't you see

Take good care of the poor boy
Oh well he's new in town and he won't settle down

You won’t sit around waiting for it to happen to you
(There's plenty who will listen)
If you hide yourself away, your country may honour you
(But a brighter future glistens)
Pulled alarms in shows of mere defiance
Draw the looks don't choose this reliance
Crown of our creation, we're on our knees

Take good care of the poor boy
Oh well he's new in town and he won't settle down
Good luck saving the the poor boy
If the city's down and he's gone underground

Oooo if you leave us behind
Your songs they will stand for all time
Oooo if you leave us behind
There'll be streets with your name on the sign

Oh Lord
Take good care of the poor boy
Oh well he's new in town and he won't settle down

Hey poor boy, hey poor boy he'll never settle down
He'll never settle down

'Beauty Mark'
(R. Wainwright)
Rufus Wainwright (1998, DreamWorks)
A tribute to his mother. He also claims this song proved to her that he could write a great pop song.

I never had it
I never wanted it,
I never had your beauty mark
Nor did I have your black hair
And hazel eyes
My early childhood was not as simple as yours set in the country
No I did not have a fear of nuns who dressed in black

But I do have your tastes
I had no radio show, nor did I have
Home-made clothes, home-made curtains
Of the same material

I never had it,
I never wanted it,
I never had your beauty mark

But I do have your tastes
And I do have your red face
And long hands

I think Callas sang a lovely “Norma”
You prefer Robson in “Deep River”

I may not be so manly,
but still I know you love me
Even if I don’t have your beauty mark!
Beauty Mark.

'Two Gold Rings'
(R. Wainwright)
(Thanks to Adrienne Patricia!)

Somewhere near central London
I imagine not so far from Trafalgar Square
And the lions
There lives an older gentleman
Who teas with BBC and Britain's ghost
His lady companion by his side.
Oh yes, I see him now.

And cross the deep blue sea
I cannot smell
Inside a symphony
the "Pastorale"

So besides the black rats swimming
I watch the English evening skies
reflect my heart
As I walk behind him,
Looking for what's been lost
Like looking over all the trees
of Hampstead Heath
now before us in the twilight.
No, I can't bear it now.

And cross the deep blue sea
I cannot smell
Inside a symphony
the "Pastorale"

A jacket and hat...the only trace...
Two gold rings...
But never fades.

A jacket and hat...the only trace
Two gold rings...
But never fades...
A face....

'Little Sister'
(R. Wainwright)
Rufus and Martha as parallel depiction of classical composers Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Fanny was Felix's younger sister who possessed great skill on the piano even when she 'could hardly reach the pedal.' (Thanks to Rachel Evans for song analysis and lyrics!)

Little sister come and sit beside me, beside me
and we'll play a tune on this old piano forte
just for awhile, just for awhile, just for awhile
till your hair becomes a powdered wig, and I become a total bastard
feet that hardly reach the pedal, sold to a tremendous shadow

ave history is on my side
so complain, have no shame
and remember that your brother is a boy

though it seems the stakes contain some ante-grate
we feel it still is based on good old intrigue
just for awhile, just for awhile, just for awhile
you may have to use your hips as fodder, still putting your best foot forward
madame didn't stack the cupboard, ended up like mother hubbard

ave, ave history is still a game
so complain, have no shame and remember that one round has just been played
and you are poised for centuries to claim
follow examples from no longer a choice
the world be just a ball to pass or gaze upon
and one more thing
before we go on again
let's end this maze
keep out the threat of a kid
oh my little, little sister!

'I'm Losing You'
(K. McGarrigle)
According to Richard of the Official Rufus Wainwright Site message board: "Kate wrote a song about Rufus leaving home and going off to boarding school. He sings backup on it." (Thanks Richard for the info and lyrics!)

Sometimes I wag my finger
Sometimes I shake my fist
But I'm writing you a letter
I'm sending you a kiss
I'm sending you some money to buy a pair of shoes
'cause you've grown out of the last ones
I know I'm losing you

I taught you how to save it
And I taught you how to spend
But I never taught you anything
How to keep or make a friend
I'm sending you some money
To buy a pair of socks
But you never wore 'em anyway
And a little money talks

Winter's comin' on now
I put the clocks back by an hour
I changed the double-windows
And cut the last of summer's flowers
I'm wishing you were here
To help me with these chores
Or just to build the fire
And we can sit and watch it as it roars

I'm sending you a letter
I'm sending you a kiss