Mary walks
Down to the water's edge
And there she hangs her head
To find herself faded
A shadow of what she once was
She said, "how long have I been sleeping?
And why do I feel so old?
Why do I feel so cold?
My heart is saying one thing
But my body won't let go"

With trembling hands, she reaches up
A stranger's flesh is offered
And I would be the last to know
I would be the last to let it show
I would be the last to go

Take her hand
She will lead you through the fire
Oh and give you back hope
And hope that you won't take too much
Respecting what is left
She cradled us
Oh, she held us in her arms

Unselfish in her suffering, she could not understand
That no one seemed to have the time
To cherish what was given
Oh, and I would be the last to know
And I would be the last to let it show
I would be the last to go
Mary walks

Oh, and I would be the last to know
And I would be the last to let it show
I would be the last to go


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Mary Lyrics as written by Sarah Mclachlan

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Mary song meanings
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    General Comment

    Now and then I stop and really listen to this song and realise how much it touches my heart. I do believe it's something to do with THAT Mary, though here's an alternative perspective...

    I see Mary as a subtle, compassionate and nurturing face of the goddess, and I see that many people identify with her for those qualities, with or without reference to her as "The Virgin" or "The Holy Mother". Try thinking of the mother of Christ as a simple woman, but a deeply enlightened one who, after her great purpose in bearing the messiah was over, she was perhaps forgotten and pushed aside. It's only later that we can begin to appreciate her for herself, as a selfless and loving mother.

    But this song strikes a chord in me that says, What if Mary were to come back to the world today, or in any of the ages of man, to look at us and what we've done with the world, and feel confusion and despair? How many people would get past our modern cynicism to see her goodness mirrored in ourselves, to be selfless and compassionate as she was?

    Heliamphoraon August 17, 2006   Link

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