Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ashes
You're covered in rain
You're covered in babies, you're covered in slashes
You're covered in wilderness, you're covered in stains
You cast aside the sheet, you cast aside the shroud
Of another man, who served the world proud
You greet another son, you lose another one
On some sunny day and always stay, Mary

Jesus says Mother I couldn't stay another day longer
Fly's right by me and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Mary she moves behind me
She leaves her fingerprints everywhere
Every time the snow drifts, every time the sand shifts
Even when the night lifts, she's always there

Jesus said Mother I couldn't stay another day longer
Fly's right by me and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ruin
you're covered in secrets
You're covered in treetops, you're covered in birds
who can sing a million songs without any words
You cast aside the sheets, you cast aside the shroud
of another man, who served the world proud
You greet another son, you lose another one
on some sunny day and always stay
Mary, Mary, Mary


Lyrics submitted by jewel20, edited by wingnut422

Mary Lyrics as written by Patricia J. Griffin

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Mary song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    I first heard it by Joan Baez and later found out it was written by Patty Griffin. Mvskoke says it would be a good song for for a funeral and hearing this comes at the time of personal loss. It seems to be a hmyn to all women. Was Mary the name of her Grandmother? Her Gran, The Virgin Mary, the mothers and wives of the great men and humble carpenters are all here. It has a religious feel, 'Mary covered in roses' and 'casting aside the shroud', giving birth, raising kids, covered in ashes, slashes and rain. Where would be be without mothers, grandmothers, wives, girlfriends, lovers. In the song Pasty Griffin is maybe being personal when she says Mary moves behind her, but even then there's this sense of every woman....

    beautiful song....

    NWNMon July 26, 2009   Link

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