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Patty Griffin — Mary
Album: Flaming Red
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1778









Released: 1998
Length: 5:00
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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 sheets
You cast aside the shroud
Of another man
Who served the world proud
And you greet another son
And you lose another one
On some sunny day
And always you stay
Mary

Jesus said, mother, I couldn't stay another day longer
He flies right by and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels were singing his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Oh Mary
She moves behind me
She leaves her fingerprints
Everywhere
Every time the snow drifts
Every way the sand shifts
Even when the night lifts
She's always there

Jesus said, mother, I couldn't stay another day longer
He flies right by and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels were singing his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

Oh Mary
You're covered in roses
You're covered in ruins
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
And you greet another son
And you lose another one
On some sunny day
And always you stay
Mary
Mary
Comments (227)add comment
Stops me in my tracks, every time. 
 kingart wrote:

Good god almighty that's beautiful. 



I have seen Patty and her Gibson twice - a classy performer of the first order.
 lwilkinson wrote:
BPenni wrote: NAW! You didn't miss much other than the sex, drugs and rock n' roll. I was there and looking back on it the idea of protesting at the barricades was soooo much infantile BS. My Gawd .... setting dogs on fire to protest the use of napalm in 'Nam, how puerile. Getting a good education, putting on a suit and working INSIDE the system for change, as a member of of it is much more mature and productive than romancing about something that wasn't that much fun to live thru'.


 bxd_tech wrote:
...but schmaltzie Christian songs are abhorent...seriously, no offense to anyone, but I'd rather eat a bag of warm poop than listen to this song ever again.

I can help.  What's your street address?
What sunybuny said

While the angels were singing his praises in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

I so love these lines...  someone always has to walk behind the horses and elephants in the parade.  I look at the mess in Ukraine and think, it will take years to clean up the mess before they can get back to everyday living.  When, that is, they can even go home again.

I must have heard this song a hundred times, and I'm almost moved to tears every time.  Love Miss Patty!
Feels appropriate to rate this "Godlike".
The more I hear this, the more I like it!!  Thank You RP!
 jmkate wrote:

Heading tomorrow to an unexpected and devastating funeral; this song is so pertinent these days.  




My sincerest sympathies to you!  I hope this song helps to get you through it!
 jmkate wrote:

Heading tomorrow to an unexpected and devastating funeral; this song is so pertinent these days.  


Bummer hope you get through it ok
 eileenomurphy wrote:

EXCEPTIONAL!!!


I agree, RP has turned me on to so many great artists and groups i may never have heard of listening to commercial music radio with their SSDD crap
Heading tomorrow to an unexpected and devastating funeral; this song is so pertinent these days.  
EXCEPTIONAL!!!
This song reminds me of, of all things, Italian Renaissance artists.  They did the same thing: trying to figure out what this life is about by reading, re-reading and making analogies to the stories of Jesus and Mary.  Not just about the Bible but about this life, in the same way that Patty Griffin is singing also about this life.  Oh to be a songwriter as great as Patty Griffin.
We definitely need a little more of this.  I saw the theme in the beginning of this set.

thanks RP
 radioparadise9 wrote:

I'm a big Patty fan but christians are grasping at straws - the song was writtten about Patty's grandmother

Virgin birth - I'd like to see that!

If you are a Catholic you MUST believe in a shitload of wierd stuff eg. transubstantiation (wine into the blood of God, which you then drink) ++++

We're not laughing with you .... we're laughing at you and your imaginary friend(s)





Well, I'm close to agreeing with you. But -- if it has any possibility of making the world a better place for some -- what the f*** is it to you? As many people have suffered and died pushing against these beliefs as trying to impose them. Why not land in the middle and let compassion and the spirit rule, despite what you may believe? Besides, in any case, this is a deeply lovely song.
 jjfflyboy wrote:

I'm Catholic.  The attributes of Mary in this song can definitely be applied to Mary, Mother of Jesus, Son of God.  Its a beautiful song, and in my faith can be considered a sacramental (something that helps me get closer to God).

Radio Paradise often presents songs related to the spiritual.  Often I hear songs that help me think about God and my relationship with Him.  I think this is by intent of the D.J, as indicated by the name chosen for the station.

In any case, this song is especially poignant today.  There are many days in the year set aside to honor Mary, Mother of Jesus, and today happens to be one.  It is the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, IOW, her birthday.    Happy Birthday, Mary.



I'm a big Patty fan but christians are grasping at straws - the song was writtten about Patty's grandmother

Virgin birth - I'd like to see that!

If you are a Catholic you MUST believe in a shitload of wierd stuff eg. transubstantiation (wine into the blood of God, which you then drink) ++++

We're not laughing with you .... we're laughing at you and your imaginary friend(s)



 zepher wrote:
Beautiful song.  The pain Mary went through seeing her Son fulfill the book, and thus realize the prophecies of the Old Testament gives real hope to suffering women everywhere.  All 'recovering' Christians need to go back to the Bible, and see how it speaks to you today apart from how it was presented in the past.  Open your mind, God has blessed you with the ability to read, and little ol' me defending the Bible is like a Kitty Cat defending the Lion's den. 




"...... gives real hope to suffering women everywhere"
The deliverance is WAY behind schedule .... it's almost as if it's a scam.

Who believes this nonsense?


 GoodKarm wrote:


Agreed!      Hail! Our Lady, our Morning Star!



Our Lady?
The Catholic Virgin Mary who had a baby?
I'd like to see that
LMAO
 janac13 wrote:

ever since I found Patty here on RP I have smiled, laughed and cried so many times with the art this wonderful woman creates.



I so feel ya! Beautiful song. I remember hearing Long Ride Home here... What a song.  Thanks RP! 
Hooray to those who clean the messes....  the most poignant line of all....

Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place

 bullshipped wrote:
Save the church music for Sundays. The 4 songs almost put me to sleep.


Well, today is actually Sunday, and since I'm not in church, I appreciate a little goddess-like reminder that Love is Real!
Pastafarian here.
I haven't paid any attention to religion in a long time, contrarian since my early teens after a Catholic childhood.
But those lyrics are brilliant.
Now, That is a Hail Mary! ...
Wish I could fall from her arms down into her hands like Tom said.
Save the church music for Sundays. The 4 songs almost put me to sleep.
 kingart wrote:
Good god almighty that's beautiful. 
 
Yeah. This is one of those songs, where I don't understand why the average rating is as low as it is, not that it matters of course. It doesn't. Everybody is hit differently by the music they hear ... one of the things that makes music so interesting.
This whole album rocks.
That woman has one of the most amazing voices of any vocalist I've ever heard....seen her a couple of times live..and would love to again...
i love radio Paradise, its a great sender Best Greets from Austria, a real Fan :-) 
That's a 10.  I'll do a decade for that.  :)
Hail Mary! 
 kingart wrote:
Good god almighty that's beautiful. 
 

Agreed!      Hail! Our Lady, our Morning Star!
Sitting up and worrying about the world and the future, and this seems very fitting-in a good way.  Thanks, RP. 
Janac13 ~ agreed most surely. She’s a talent I’ve loved to love. Glorious gift to and by God!!
ever since I found Patty here on RP I have smiled, laughed and cried so many times with the art this wonderful woman creates.
Love it - chillaxed to the max
one of the most underrated singer songwriters of all time.
Rated it 10 first time I heard it here, ages ago. Still a ten.
c.
How is this only a 6.9
 kingart wrote:
Good god almighty that's beautiful. 
 
Yes. How on Earth does she pull that magical stuff up from her soul and spill it out all over every which where?
This is lovely.
 kingart wrote:
Good god almighty that's beautiful. 
 
Agreed.  Tearjerkingly lovely from the first listen.  Instant 10 from the Bristol office.
Love the fact that Emmylou Harris is doing background vocals

 

Me too! 

 

mrselfdestruct wrote:

This is one that gives me tingles.
 

This is one that gives me tingles.
This artist is really starting to grow on me.
What a voice. I particularly liked the concert version with Natalie Maines - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOxpvKuEruk
Good god almighty that's beautiful. 
 BigRooster747 wrote:
I must be one of the few not liking singers with the American whine in their voice. I always skip these ''20 a dozen'' singers when they are on. It's honestly one of the reasons never to grant RP hight marks for music. These whining woman singers get on my nerves.

 
Possibly, someday, your perspective will broaden. It happens. Preferences in music change. The only reason to make this comment is that my thoughts about music have changed with time. 
Wow...transporting.  This is what music is supposed to do.  Take you to a different place.
 arighter2 wrote:
... If it had any kind of kick to the end, I'd have given it a ten.
 
Not missing the point?
I must be one of the few not liking singers with the American whine in their voice. I always skip these ''20 a dozen'' singers when they are on. It's honestly one of the reasons never to grant RP hight marks for music. These whining woman singers get on my nerves.
Great song. Great album.
 rsfc_carp wrote:
I don't think there's another RP regular that I'm as bimodal about as Patty.  When she gets excited and starts hollerin' it's like knitting needles through my ears, but on songs like this, she's a reminder of what music can do for humans.

 
Agreed, but in this case, the rest of this album kicks serious butt. Her best album IMHO.
Carol Ferris and I heard this live last spring. Such a treat.
When is there ever a time that hearing Patti Griffin on RP ISN'T a great thing?
God, I love her.
Patty Griffin's music is so strong
I donated yesterday (I'm in the Gallon Club) and think if you can than you should too,
help out Donating Blood - RedCrossBlood.org
Jesus. Another total knockout song by Patty.
Stopped me in my tracks.
 ScottN wrote:
Sublime.

 
No, Patty Griffin. How can you confuse those two?

Sublime.
makes you stop and say 'there's more music out there' than I WILL ever  be able to appreciate all the other sides of an artist
I don't think there's another RP regular that I'm as bimodal about as Patty.  When she gets excited and starts hollerin' it's like knitting needles through my ears, but on songs like this, she's a reminder of what music can do for humans.
 lholly wrote:
...
Patty is best heard live where she knows exactly how to move every breathe and nuance. 
...
 
Absolutely. The venue sometimes doesn't do her justice. I saw her at Stubb's amphitheater once, and it was quite disappointing. But I've seen her in more suitable venues, and she just crushes it.
song for this day of remembrance, somber and sincere with all that beauty     
This is great music thank you guys
Hard to find but when you do, rarely is there disagreement among the greatest critics.
A top ten song of all time in a few. A gem of gems.

I knew it to be one one the best from the 1st time I heard it. But what do I know. 7xP doesn't mean I'm a good critic! ;-)
Love that you play this RP! Everyone should be exposed to the greatness of what makes a truly great song.
... Not always where you expect it... that's what's so great about this art.

As a musician/writer/engineer I sadly agree with the comments about the production.
Patty is best heard live where she knows exactly how to move every breathe and nuance. 
I rarely listen to this studio version, but the live trax from "A Kiss in Time" are always within reach.
the acoustic video collections with Buddy & Emmylou are not to be missed!... Three Girls and Their Buddy"
LPH
Practically perfect. Patty at her classic best, from my 2nd favorite Patty album behind Silver Bell.
Always found the lyrics to this song awesome (cried like Mary Magdalene the firs time I heard it, not afraid to say). It's worth the price of the whole album, really.
She makes nice songs, should be pleasant enough, but...

Maybe it's the mix, but Patty just gets on my nerves without even trying after about 90 seconds. Just working with RP in the background, not really focused on the music, and she just scrapes into my awareness and I have to PSD.
goes well with coffee and egg McMuffin.
She is fantastic, and this is a beautiful song.
Some enterprising producer really should get the original master tapes of this album and remix it without the piercing highs.  Every song is very good to outstanding, and converting it to MP3 helps, but on the CD, the high frequencies are way too hot.

Maybe Ms Griffin can do this?
{#Heartkiss}  9 > 10
Wonderful song.  Doesn't seem like I have been listening to it for 15 years...but I have.
Fabulous artist singing a strong part of a story, and an afternoon's worth of interesting commentary; we are blessed people
ACK! My ears. I know everyone loves her, and I keep trying but this is fingernails on a chalkboard to me. 
Shesdifferent, winter and I will be at her show in Mesa, AZ in about 4 hours from right now. Can't wait!
Her voice is riveting, especially on quiet sensitive numbers like this.
This song is so beautiful. 
Patty & Annie Lennox...I want to hear their voices on my deathbed...
SUCH a beautiful voice she has....always makes me stop and listen.
Patty's voice makes this song shine.
Funny how many people have a gut antipathy to this song because it's got a vague Jesus undercurrent. I'm not a Christian, but c'mon, much — most? — of the Western world's greatest art has had a Biblical theme. Just about everything done by Michaelangelo, for instance. Anyway, I think this is just beautiful.
What he/she said...
 rdo wrote:
As a board certified atheist, I like this song.
 There's a board? Dammit, nobody told me. I wanna be certified too. They say I'm already certifiable, so it should be a snap.

What?


Religious undertones notwithstanding, this is lovely.
Beautiful. 10
 crispynz1 wrote:
Hideous!
 
Physics, is that you?
wow. twice in 2 days. depressing.
Hideous!
Funny how many people have a gut antipathy to this song because it's got a vague Jesus undercurrent. I'm not a Christian, but c'mon, much — most? — of the Western world's greatest art has had a Biblical theme. Just about everything done by Michaelangelo, for instance. Anyway, I think this is just beautiful. Too bad it's not about the Buddha. (Joke.)
 zepher wrote:
Beautiful song.  The pain Mary went through seeing her Son fulfill the book, and thus realize the prophecies of the Old Testament gives real hope to suffering women everywhere.  All 'recovering' Christians need to go back to the Bible, and see how it speaks to you today apart from how it was presented in the past.  Open your mind, God has blessed you with the ability to read, and little ol' me defending the Bible is like a Kitty Cat defending the Lion's den. 



 
I find it interesting that some religious folks are quick to harp on what on non-believers "need to do." I don't feel the need to tell you what to do or believe, I don't give a flying fig. As long as you don't kill people in the name of your god, as many have. Immediately you'll mention the atheists who have committed atrocities, and yes, there are plenty. They killed despite their beliefs, not because of them. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, has plenty of wonderful philosophy, as well as some pretty scary tenants. Many other great books do too and it takes more of an open mind to admit that than to look for all of the answers from one book.
As a board certified athiest, I like this song.
Beautiful song.  The pain Mary went through seeing her Son fulfill the book, and thus realize the prophecies of the Old Testament gives real hope to suffering women everywhere.  All 'recovering' Christians need to go back to the Bible, and see how it speaks to you today apart from how it was presented in the past.  Open your mind, God has blessed you with the ability to read, and little ol' me defending the Bible is like a Kitty Cat defending the Lion's den. 



 brianlemaster wrote:
As a recovering Catholic I'm never happy to hear anything overtly religious. 45 minutes ago RP played Daniel Lanois's "The Maker" which rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, I can't help but love this song. It must be Patty's haunting voice. To me the song is an ode to overlooked women, mothers, wives, etc., everywhere.Maybe it helps that I'm fairly familiar with some of Patty's other music and generally you can't find a religious overtone to it.
>>>
Not to be provocative, but "recovering Catholic"?? what does that mean.. in your case, the devil won?  The song as a whole can be received as a wonderful ode to women throughout history as is well said above, but clearly speaks to Marian devotionalists, Catholics, Protestant, and all Christians who appreciate Mary's "yes" to God.
 
If I believed in the devil any more than god, I guess you could say the devil won. I only qualified my statement with the "recovering Catholic" part to explain that if I'm anti-religious (which I am) it's not because no one ever tried to indoctrinate me. It just didn't take. I outgrew it, much like belief in the tooth fairy. I still love this song and don't find it to be a statement of religious devotion. But I even like some songs that are. "Oh Holy Night" is overtly religious. I don't feel inspired by the message, but as for song structure and composition, it's amazing. It's one of my favorite Christmas songs when performed by someone who really hits the emotion.
Interesting point. Who exactly is the devil, anyway? Someone that a bunch of child rapists told me to avoid? In that case, I'll take the devil.

brianlemaster wrote:
As a recovering Catholic I'm never happy to hear anything overtly religious. 45 minutes ago RP played Daniel Lanois's "The Maker" which rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, I can't help but love this song. It must be Patty's haunting voice. To me the song is an ode to overlooked women, mothers, wives, etc., everywhere.Maybe it helps that I'm fairly familiar with some of Patty's other music and generally you can't find a religious overtone to it.
>>>
Not to be provocative, but "recovering Catholic"?? what does that mean.. in your case, the devil won?  The song as a whole can be received as a wonderful ode to women throughout history as is well said above, but clearly speaks to Marian devotionalists, Catholics, Protestant, and all Christians who appreciate Mary's "yes" to God.
 

As a recovering Catholic I'm never happy to hear anything overtly religious. 45 minutes ago RP played Daniel Lanois's "The Maker" which rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, I can't help but love this song. It must be Patty's haunting voice. To me the song is an ode to overlooked women, mothers, wives, etc., everywhere.Maybe it helps that I'm fairly familiar with some of Patty's other music and generally you can't find a religious overtone to it.
>>>
Not to be provocative, but "recovering Catholic"?? what does that mean.. in your case, the devil won?  The song as a whole can be received as a wonderful ode to women throughout history as is well said above, but clearly speaks to Marian devotionalists, Catholics, Protestant, and all Christians who appreciate Mary's "yes" to God.
As a confirmed atheist, I'd have to agree with the more "agnostic" interpretations below. It strikes me as a song as much about the role and fate of woman as it is "that" particular woman.

That said, and again as a non-believer, as a woman who wept over the body of a young son killed before his time for reasons she may have been vague on, Mary probably isn't a bad archetype for our society on a few levels.

crispynz1 wrote:

I like Patty, but not this drivel.
My sentiments exactly. 

Simply divine!
probably as close to a Christmas song as we'll get on RP. 8.
I like Patty, but not this drivel.
Her voice always stops me in my tracks.  Like a pinhole of light in total darkness - she grabs my attention.  LOVE LOVE LOVE Patty Griffin.
 grungepuppy wrote:
As a recovering Catholic I'm never happy to hear anything overtly religious. 45 minutes ago RP played Daniel Lanois's "The Maker" which rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, I can't help but love this song. It must be Patty's haunting voice. To me the song is an ode to overlooked women, mothers, wives, etc., everywhere. Maybe it helps that I'm fairly familiar with some of Patty's other music and generally you can't find a religious overtone to it.
  Thank you. Nicely said.

Truly Superlative.
 kevanski wrote:
An excellent, well composed piece of writing, which eloquently expresses a sometimes (always?) difficult topic. I am in total agreement with the point made here . .   bam23 wrote:
By now I should no longer be surprised or annoyed at the ease with which some listeners to this station jump into some sort of misdirected expressions of disdain for any performer who even mentions anything with a hint of religious perspective. If you folks really want to eliminate this way of thinking or referring to the world and its multitude of perspectives from the music you listen to, much of the past 500 years of serious music is off limits. As is popular music. This is music, not an indoctrination. This specific song might be seen as overtly religious IF YOU WANT IT TO BE SO. I hear something closer to a timeless lament put in a context of a story that most people in this culture understand. For what it is worth, I am not Christian, so this is not some attempt to sway the non-believers of the world, since I am not one of these.
 
 
Religion, made by man to control and govern man.  Let's all just keep religion out.  It only f**cks everything and everyone up.

 jim1964 wrote:

I think she's right as well. I have a live recording of this song and Patty introduces it by saying she wrote about her grandmother named Mary.
 
Her grandmother Mary.  And her uncle Jesus?

She also said that the song Heavenly Day was written about her dog.

I think what's she's saying is "I wrote this song and gave it to you.  You can each decide what it means to you".

 trekhead wrote:
Wow, I was just reading the latest Beanie Journal when this came on. Man.
 
Oh man, I remember. Heartbreaking, every breath. This song gives me chills all by itself, but at that time it was just crushing.

An excellent, well composed piece of writing, which eloquently expresses a sometimes (always?) difficult topic. I am in total agreement with the point made here . .   bam23 wrote:
By now I should no longer be surprised or annoyed at the ease with which some listeners to this station jump into some sort of misdirected expressions of disdain for any performer who even mentions anything with a hint of religious perspective. If you folks really want to eliminate this way of thinking or referring to the world and its multitude of perspectives from the music you listen to, much of the past 500 years of serious music is off limits. As is popular music. This is music, not an indoctrination. This specific song might be seen as overtly religious IF YOU WANT IT TO BE SO. I hear something closer to a timeless lament put in a context of a story that most people in this culture understand. For what it is worth, I am not Christian, so this is not some attempt to sway the non-believers of the world, since I am not one of these.
 


By now I should no longer be surprised or annoyed at the ease with which some listeners to this station jump into some sort of misdirected expressions of disdain for any performer who even mentions anything with a hint of religious perspective. If you folks really want to eliminate this way of thinking or referring to the world and its multitude of perspectives from the music you listen to, much of the past 500 years of serious music is off limits. As is popular music. This is music, not an indoctrination. This specific song might be seen as overtly religious IF YOU WANT IT TO BE SO. I hear something closer to a timeless lament put in a context of a story that most people in this culture understand. For what it is worth, I am not Christian, so this is not some attempt to sway the non-believers of the world, since I am not one of these.
 peter_james_bond wrote:

I think Imic is right again.  {#Cheers}
 
I think she's right as well. I have a live recording of this song and Patty introduces it by saying she wrote about her grandmother named Mary.
 amb599 wrote:
As an atheist - this is one of my favorite Patty Griffin songs, and I love most every one of them.  To me it tells the story of a humble woman cleaning up after a man.  Ascribe whatever notions to the man you like, thats not what this song is about.
 
I'm also an atheist & like this song as well.

Lots of knee-jerk reaction to this one. Beautiful song.
 lattalo wrote:
Someday I am going to get to see this woman perform live.
I think she is one the best artists alive today, I just can't believe
she is not more popular.  A very remarkable talented artist,
unbelievable!!!!!
 
As powerful as she is recorded, she will knock you out live. Saw her recently, with Shawn Colvin, at a benefit show. Much too short, but wonderful nonetheless.

 lawman wrote:
**** me: what a ****ing miserable song.   Thanks for nothin.
 

What he said. . . . but the exact opposite.
**** me: what a ****ing miserable song.   Thanks for nothin.
Someday I am going to get to see this woman perform live.
I think she is one the best artists alive today, I just can't believe
she is not more popular.  A very remarkable talented artist,
unbelievable!!!!!
As a recovering Catholic I'm never happy to hear anything overtly religious. 45 minutes ago RP played Daniel Lanois's "The Maker" which rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, I can't help but love this song. It must be Patty's haunting voice. To me the song is an ode to overlooked women, mothers, wives, etc., everywhere. Maybe it helps that I'm fairly familiar with some of Patty's other music and generally you can't find a religious overtone to it.


As an atheist - this is one of my favorite Patty Griffin songs, and I love most every one of them.  To me it tells the story of a humble woman cleaning up after a man.  Ascribe whatever notions to the man you like, thats not what this song is about.