The Ballad of Mary Magdalene

Dar Williams

My name is Mary Magdalen
I come from Palestine
Please excuse these rags I'm in
But I've fallen on hard times
But long ago I had my work
When I was in my prime
But I gave it up, and all for love
It was his career or mine

Jesus loved me
This I know
But why on earth
Did I ever let him go
He was always faithful
He was always kind
But he walked off
With this heart of mine

A love like this will come but once
This I do believe
And I'll not see his like again
As I live and breath
And I'm sorry if I might offend
But I will never see
How the tenderness I shared with him
Became a heresy

Jesus loved me
This I know
But why on earth
Did I ever let him go
He was always faithful
He was always kind
But he walked off
With this heart of mine

But I remember nights we spent
Whispering our creed
Our rituals, our sacraments
The stars our canopy
There beneath an olive tree
We'd offer up our plea
God's creation innocent
His arms surrounding me

Jesus loves me
This I know
But why on earth
Did he ever have to go
He was always faithful
He was always kind
But he walked off
With this heart of mine


Lyrics submitted by VampedVixen

Ballad of Mary Magdalene [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Richard Shindell

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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The Ballad of Mary Magdalene song meanings
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    General Comment

    I once read a description of this song that described it as walking the fine line between spirituality and blasphemy.

    I think that, whatever your take on the relationship (or non relationship) between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, this song tells a beautiful story of love and suggests that were there a romantic relationship, it would not have been a dirty or shameful thing.

    Dar sings it beautifully.

    Sylviedon January 19, 2012   Link

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