The Lady Mary Sails
And what will I wear when the Mary sails?
A dress as red as red can be.
I'll think of him when the Mary sails,
And she takes him far away from me.
A week and a month and a year go by;
The stars go traveling 'round the sky.
Won't weep, won't hear me cry,
When the Lady Mary sails.
And what will I wear when the corn's to cut?
His old brown britches, tied with a string.
I'll think of him when the corn's to cut
And the geese are crying on the wing.
CHORUS
And what will I wear when the baby's born?
His old white shirt to give me ease.
I'll think of him when the baby's born,
Whose daddy's gone to sail the seas.
CHORUS
And what will I wear when the Mary comes?
A widow's veils and a widow's black.
I'll think of him when the Mary comes:
The man who won't be coming back.
CHORUS
And what will I wear when his stone's to set?
Some ribbons off my wedding dress.
I'll think of him when his stone's to set:
It's one man more and one man less.
CHORUS
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Words and music by Goodenough and Muir, copyright BMI.
Recorded by Ann Mayo Muir on "So Goes My Heart," FSI-99 copyright
1985.
"I can't imagine a more lonely life than that of a woman married
to a seafaring man, especially in the old days. She often had to
endure years of separation, raising her children alone, while
waiting for the day the returned - if he returned at all. Judy
Goodenough's lyric describes a rare, stoic acceptance of this
plight." - AMM
DC
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!