Pretty Mary K
Elliott Smith Lyrics
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Started to say
Rode into the sun
Past everyone
Hallelujah, pretty Mary K
I found faith in the infirmary
There's a soldier lying in bed
With a wound to the head
Calling out to pretty Mary K
Here's what you get for things that haven't happened yet
I happened upon pretty Mary K
But a soldier's uniform waved you away
I walk round the dock and talk to St. James
Though I'm already done
And ask everyone "have you seen her?"
Pretty Mary K
Have you seen her?
Pretty Mary K
The lyrics of "Pretty Mary K" by Elliott Smith are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about a soldier named Mary K who the singer may have loved. He starts by saying he almost forgot or omitted talking about Mary K and then rode into the sun. Then he mentions how a soldier is lying in the infirmary with the wound to his head and calls out to Mary K. The singer then says he happened upon her, but a soldier's uniform waved her away.
He keeps thinking about Mary K and wandering around the dock, asking everyone if they have seen her, even though he is already “done.” The last line repeats the question, “Have you seen her, Pretty Mary K?” The song seems to have a melancholic tone, and the singer may be searching for something or someone that he cannot quite find or obtain.
Line by Line Meaning
Almost forgot
I nearly forgot something important
Started to say
I began to speak
Rode into the sun
I traveled towards the bright light of the sun
Past everyone
I went beyond everyone around me
Hallelujah, pretty Mary K
Hallelujah for the beautiful Mary K
I found faith in the infirmary
I discovered hope in a place of healing
There's a soldier lying in bed
There is a wounded soldier resting in a bed
With a wound to the head
The soldier has an injury on their head
Calling out to pretty Mary K
The soldier is speaking to Mary K, seeking comfort from her
Here's what you get for things that haven't happened yet
This is what you receive for worrying about things that have yet to occur
I happened upon pretty Mary K
I unexpectedly encountered the lovely Mary K
But a soldier's uniform waved you away
Mary K turned aside because of the presence of a soldier in uniform
I walk round the dock and talk to St. James
I stroll by the harbor and engage in discussion with St. James
Though I'm already done
Despite having completed everything
And ask everyone "have you seen her?"
I inquire of anyone I come across, "have you seen her?"
Pretty Mary K
The lovely Mary K
Have you seen her?
Can you tell me if you have seen Mary K?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EireAnPoblacht
A thousand times THIS.
You know, it always feels odd & a bit silly as a devoted elliott fan to stan out on lyrics and keep this endless list of expressions of "THIS is how genius his lyrics are," but its absolutely true..
Idc about "best," but Elliott is tremendous and unmistakable.. His ability to repeat lines that remain thematic of him as a whole without ever seeming repetitive or out of ideas..
He had so many more inside of him, a shame of a realization that is hard to fully grasp or find solace from..
He'll be the songwriter of my lifetime, without a shadow of a doubt...
@nickcordes6276
Pretty Mary K walks along the dock
with some sailor's pay shoved down in her sock
Pretty Mary K with some little boy in blue
Who can't stay away from you
Pretty Mary K took him back to town
I'm down here by the bay where the water pounds
Up against the wall crying black and blue
that keeps me away from you
Pretty words that you whispered
maybe I misunderstood
Somebody's not paying attention to what they promised
and their word isn't good
Oh Mary K I can see her face
Down there in the waves painted and erased
but I know its just the reflection of the moon
a big fake resembling you
Gonna go down in the water
fill my mouth up full of sand
I'll be waiting there impatient with my dead imagination
while your with some other man
Pretty Mary K is off in somebody's room
I'm down here by the bay with my arm around the moon
But I'll be with you soon, just as soon as I've paid
I'll walk across the water with Pretty Mary K
Walk on the water pretty Mary K
@DocBuzzkill
Probably the best lyrics by anyone: Oh, Mary K, I can see your face
Down there in the waves, painted and erased
But I know it's just a reflection of the moon
A big fake resembling you
I'm gonna go down in the water
Fill my mouth up full of sand
I'll be waiting, still impatient with my dead imagination
While you're with some other man
Pretty Mary K is off in somebody's room
I'm down here by the bay, my arm around the moon - Beautiful
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Pretty Mary K walks along the dock
with some sailor's pay shoved down in her sock
Pretty Mary K with some little boy in blue
Who can't stay away from you
Pretty Mary K took him back to town
I'm down here by the bay where the water pounds
Up against the wall crying black and blue
that keeps me away from you
Pretty words that you whispered
maybe I misunderstood
Somebody's not paying attention to what they promised
and their word isn't good
Oh Mary K I can see her face
Down there in the waves painted and erased
but I know its just the reflection of the moon
a big fake resembling you
Gonna go down in the water
fill my mouth up full of sand
I'll be waiting there impatient with my dead imagination
while your with some other man
Pretty Mary K is off in somebody's room
I'm down here by the bay with my arm around the moon
But I'll be with you soon, just as soon as I've paid
I'll walk across the water with Pretty Mary K
Walk on the water pretty Mary K
@jonathanturkmusic
This song is a good reminder that Elliot was probably the best lyric writer of his generation. The melodies are always insane but man that guy could write lyrics. Love you Elliott
@EireAnPoblacht
A thousand times THIS.
You know, it always feels odd & a bit silly as a devoted elliott fan to stan out on lyrics and keep this endless list of expressions of "THIS is how genius his lyrics are," but its absolutely true..
Idc about "best," but Elliott is tremendous and unmistakable.. His ability to repeat lines that remain thematic of him as a whole without ever seeming repetitive or out of ideas..
He had so many more inside of him, a shame of a realization that is hard to fully grasp or find solace from..
He'll be the songwriter of my lifetime, without a shadow of a doubt...
@taramilton8695
@AnotherDeadDisciple I met Elliot on a rainy gray sunday afternoon on calidonian rd london. Elliot was like Elvis to me...
@originaljamtracks
wow so lucky@@taramilton8695
@J8T369
He should have won the Nobel Soul Prize.
@caerulemusic
:)
@yuval8694
Well said.
@cannibalmoth848dayz2
All.of.them every single one of em
@punkskunk7172
69th like
@rajanbadal2020
yeah he shouldaa