"Mary"--Great Song by Patty Griffin

“Mary”

by Patty Griffin

Mary, you’re covered in roses, you’re covered in ashes, you’re covered in rain.

You’re covered in babies, you’re covered in slashes

You’re covered in wilderness, you’re covered in stains.

You cast aside the sheet, you cast aside the shroud

Of another man, who served the world proud.

You greet another son, you lose another one

On some sunny day and always you stay, Mary.

Jesus says, “Mother I couldn’t stay another day longer,”

Flies right by and leaves a kiss upon her face

While the angels are singing his praises in a blaze of glory

Mary stays behind

and starts cleaning up the place.

Mary, she moves behind me, she leaves her fingerprints everywhere;

Everytime the snow drifts, everytime the sand shifts, even when the night lifts, she’s always there.

Jesus said, “Mother I couldn’t stay another day longer,”

Flies right by and leaves a kiss upon her face

While the angels are singing his praises in a blaze of glory

Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place.

Mary you’re covered in roses, you’re covered in ruin, you’re covered in secrets

You're covered in treetops, you’re covered in birds

who can sing a million songs without any words.

You cast aside the sheets, you cast aside the shroud

of another man, who served the world proud.

You greet another son, you lose another one on some sunny day

and always you’ll stay,

Mary, Mary, Mary.

A performance with Patty Griffin and Natalie Manes: