I see the song as 3 different parts for 3 different Marys.
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 see the song as 3 different parts for 3 different Marys.
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.