Mary, carry your babe
Bound up tight like lips around a whimper
Your fingers over my face
Blind eyed Sampson driven to the temple
And night birds digging until dawn
Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone
Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds
But his mama says he'll walk on water
And wander back home
Mary, carry your shame
Well past all those eyes across the avenue
Fish heads running from rain
You know I'll do anything you want me to
Lamp oil lovers may say
"Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone"
Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds
But his papa's going to hide shaking gristle
And shaking like bone
Mary, carry my name
Hoof marks hacked up all I had to offer you
Looked all over this place
Lost your portrait lately when the winter blew
In like Herod and them
Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone
Anybody knows what the newborn holds
But a dollar says he'll lick that devil
And do it alone
Bound up tight like lips around a whimper
Your fingers over my face
Blind eyed Sampson driven to the temple
And night birds digging until dawn
Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone
Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds
But his mama says he'll walk on water
And wander back home
Mary, carry your shame
Well past all those eyes across the avenue
Fish heads running from rain
You know I'll do anything you want me to
Lamp oil lovers may say
"Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone"
Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds
But his papa's going to hide shaking gristle
And shaking like bone
Mary, carry my name
Hoof marks hacked up all I had to offer you
Looked all over this place
Lost your portrait lately when the winter blew
In like Herod and them
Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone
Anybody knows what the newborn holds
But a dollar says he'll lick that devil
And do it alone
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This is a really confusing state for him to find himself in. He's supposed to be the man; he thought he'd prepared a good life for himself and his bride, but then this baby happened, and suddenly here they are, political refugees, on the run from place to place, trying to protect this fragile little bundle from murderous soldiers ("hoof-marks hacked up all I had to offer you").
On top of that, their friends and families probably all think she's a liar and is just trying to hide the fact that she's conceived out of wedlock ("carry your shame") - which also makes Joseph look a bit of a fool. If she *is* lying, then he really is a blind Samson to her Delilah, being led towards his doom, all for the sake of a woman.
In short, he's staked all he has on this woman and her crazy assertions, and he has to admit he's terrified, but there's something about her that makes him trust her. If she's right about how important this child is going to prove to be, maybe freedom is just around the corner - for them, and maybe for others too. And for his part, he's betting his 'dollar' on it.
The first and second paragraphs are obvious; Mary and Mary Magdalene.
The third I see as a reference to Mary of Bethany. She, her sister Martha, and little bro Lazarus were visited by Jesus & co. many times, including shortly before the crucifixion.
They were apparently well off financially as Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. Judas, of all people, objected to her extravagence, but Jesus defended her actions. She took the scented oil and poured it over Jesus's feet, annointing them, the same way they do to royalty.
This was a not-so-subtle hint she was kind of anointing him as a king, the messiah.
"Freedom hangs like Heaven"... Heaven is out of reach in life. All three women's lives were shaped by this legendary figure. They could never really escape from important roles they played in Jesus's life.
None of the Marys had normal lives. They couldn't go out and mingle like ordinary women. They all had parts to play. True freedom was out of reach for them.
i was very excited when i realized this was in reference to the Bible, because i'm a Christian, and obviously, Jesus is a major part in my life
The refrain can apply to any child the way I hear it. Freedom is what allows for sin and shame, and any child, but especially Jesus, is born pure without sin.
When the Second verse says "but his papa's going to hide shaking gristle and shaking like bone", I think it is a reference to the fact that Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus had to hide frequently to avoid persecution and death.
i saw iw and calexico last december and they rocked this song so hard. just jammed out on it. so wonderful.
etc etc.
"But his papa's going to hide shaking gristle
And shaking like bone" other than that line id think its Joseph talking to Mary. Though "his papa" could be in reference the big G.O.D., but i doubt it.