Crazy Mary
Crazy Mary
by Michael P. Smith
(recorded 2002 live on WFMT Radio
with Anne Hills, Michael Smith, Jamie O’Reilly, Paul Amandes)
In the lamplight burning low
And dimly thru enchanted woods
She rocked beside the fire
That was never lit
And as we ran on by
Pretending to be frightened
We would shout and laugh at Crazy Mary
Crazy Mary from Londonderry
Lives next door to the cemetery
How many lovers have you buried
Crazy Mary from Londonderry
Lives next door to the cemetery
Crazy Mary from Londonderry
We would shout running scared
Across the green and golden paths
That led us home Away from Crazy Mary
She would never answer us
Just smile thru the window softly
Wild-eyed and wild-haired
But we were sure that in the dark of night
She cursed us soundly
Casting spells and stuff
To turn us into donkeys
So they went the summer years
Each one more fleeting than the last one
Rushing down the green and golden paths
And soon the woods were not enchanted any more
For we had grown
And we’d forgotten Crazy Mary
So it comes that older now
We stand upon this windswept moor
The lonely stone before us testifies
That Crazy Mary rocks and smiles
And dreams her dreams somewhere
But not where little kids can follow after
And on the stone these words: dear friend
Please write me down as one who loved
The raven-haired and laughing lads
Who swore that they would marry me
But soon their sons came running by
And here I lie forgotten, Crazy Mary
In the lamplight burning low
And dimly thru enchanted woods
We think about the sins that we commit
Along the green and golden paths of growing up
We light the fire
And say a prayer for Crazy Mary
I like this rendition of Crazy Mary. Definitely a favorite from your catalog.
Thank you for your voice and your music. Your talent is immense and you touch people right where they live. It kinda seeps into the cells and stays there.
MB
Another beautiful, haunting song from Michael, with Jamie’s, Anne’s and Paul’s wonderful voices. Bravo!