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Mary, Mary So Contrary Lyrics

Mary, oh Mary, so quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
These silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty men all in our room,
Went to see contrary Mary,
Told her I refuse to tarry.
We spoke very soft and slow
Without your pretty men, Mary,
Standin' in a row.
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.

Smoke a haiku cigarette,
Turn around and then we left,
Smiling as the way began to grow,
We got your pretty men all in a row.
Mary, Mary, so quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
These silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty men all in our room,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.
Went to see contrary Mary,
Told her I refuse to tarry.
We spoke very soft and slow,
We got your pretty men standin' in a row.
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.
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Cover art for Mary, Mary So Contrary lyrics by Can

The guitar solo on this is absolutely fucking awesome. It blows my mind EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it. It's intense, it's raw, but it's also bright - like a child's picture of the Sun coloured in the brightest yellow felt-tip pen, with the colour going uncontrolled, going over the scribbly, imperfect edges. It's completely opened-up, baring it's soul, desperate to be heard. It's incredibly emotive and releasing - just listen to it on massive speakers, turned up excessively loud, and feel the drive behind the feeling ;-) Easily my all-time favourite guitar solo.

This is also my favourite Can song, as it happens.

@The Distorted Michael Karoli was a goddam genius

Cover art for Mary, Mary So Contrary lyrics by Can

I've always felt they got better with Damo Suzuki. Just read my comment for I'm So Green.

Cover art for Mary, Mary So Contrary lyrics by Can

Fair enough - on the whole I could agree with you, but on a couple of occasions their earlier material was just as good (if not better in some cases - hence this being my favourite song and all). I would never simply state "this era is better than the other". It depends on the song. Anyway, I think that's enough of an off topic tangent for now.

  • You made me tarnish the section of my favourite Can song sniff
 
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