Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only … Read Full Bio ↴Beresford Hammond (b.August 28,1955 Annotto Bay,St.Mary, Jamaica) has only really risen to become popular in the 'digital' age of Reggae, although his career stretches back to the 1970's. Considered by many to be one of Jamaica's finest contemporary vocalists, his best work has generally been captured on the 'Penthouse' and 'Xterminator' labels as well as his own 'Harmony House' imprint. The singer with his distictive 'Bourbon on the rocks' vocal style remains active today both recording and producing.

Mary Mary
Beres Hammond Lyrics

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Mary Mary quite contrary
You don't look so good tonight
Hands at your jaw
Something just ain't right

Hair looking shabby
Never seen out of place
Something must be wrong

Bear with me while I sing you this song

If he ain't doing right
No need to up and fight
He won't come home tonight
Will you keep believing lies?
No no no no
Things ain't right
So your nails you sit and bite
Trying hard to keep it tight
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Mary Mary, quite contrary
Where's the happy girl I used to know
Smile like the sun, joy every place you go
Come tell me 'bout your problems
Don't keep it to yourself
Remember I'm your friend
I'll linger for a while and try to make you understand

First, loosen up let's sit and chat
I hate to see you looking like that
Though I know it isn't easy
But it's not the end of the world
Take a load off your shoulder
Can you do this for me?
Oh oh oh oh
My dear Mary
Don't do that to yourself
No oh oh
My dear Mary

Mary Mary don't get weary
It's just a part of a play
You'll star it up again at the end of the day
After all it's not so bad, things could be worse
Give me that smile girl, now send him a rose

If he ain't doing right
No need to up and fight
Still won't come home tonight
Will you keep believing lies?
No no no no
Things ain't right
So your nails you sit and bite
Trying hard to keep it tight
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Loosen up let's sit and chat
I hate to see you looking like that
Though I know it isn't easy
But it's not the end of the world
Take a load off your shoulder
Can you do this for me?
My my my my
My Mary
Don't do this to yourself
Oh no no oh
My dear Mary
Can you do this for me?
Smile

If he ain't doing right
No need to up and fight
Still won't come home tonight
Will you keep believing lies?
No no no no
Things ain't right
So your nails you sit and bite

Trying hard to keep it tight
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Overall Meaning

Beres Hammond's song "Mary Mary" is a powerful message about being there for a friend when they need you most. The song's protagonist is talking to her friend, Mary Mary, who seems to be going through a difficult time. The lyrics are filled with concern and compassion that one friend has for another. Beres reassures Mary that she is there for her and encourages her to talk about her problems.

Throughout the song, Beres offers advice to Mary, telling her to take a load off and chat with him; to loosen up and smile. The song addresses the difficulties in relationships and offers a reminder that it's better to be honest about your problems than to hold them inside. The overarching message of the song is about the need for friendship and understanding, especially during the difficult times.

The song "Mary Mary" is often seen as a tribute to Mary J. Blige, who was an inspiration to Beres Hammond. The song was released in 1994, which was the same year that Mary J. Blige released her album "My Life." The song was also featured on Beres's album "In Control," which was released in the same year. "Mary Mary" became one of the most popular songs from the album and remains a fan favourite to this day.

Line by Line Meaning

Mary Mary quite contrary
Beres addresses Mary Mary and acknowledges that she's behaving in a contradictory way

You don't look so good tonight
Beres tells Mary that she doesn't look well tonight

Hands at your jaw
Beres describes Mary's physical appearance, saying she has her hands on her jaw

Something just ain't right
Beres can sense something is not right and expresses his concern

Hair looking shabby
Beres describes Mary's hair and how it looks unkempt

Never seen out of place
Beres notes that this is uncharacteristic of Mary's hair, which is usually well-styled

Something must be wrong
Beres deduces that something must be upsetting Mary, leading to her lack of care in her appearance

Bear with me while I sing you this song
Beres asks Mary for her patience as he prepares to sing to her and try to help

If he ain't doing right
Beres questions whether Mary's partner is treating her how she deserves

No need to up and fight
Beres advises Mary not to get into an argument with her partner, even if he is in the wrong

He won't come home tonight
Beres suggests that Mary's partner may not return home tonight

Will you keep believing lies?
Beres questions if Mary will keep believing her partner's lies even though she knows they're not true

Things ain't right
Beres brings attention to the fact that things are not as they should be

So your nails you sit and bite
Beres notices that Mary is anxious and biting her nails

Trying hard to keep it tight
Beres acknowledges that Mary is trying to hold herself together

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Beres uses this as a musical interlude

Where's the happy girl I used to know
Beres reminisces about a time when Mary was happy and carefree

Smile like the sun, joy every place you go
Beres remembers Mary's infectious smile and sunny disposition

Come tell me 'bout your problems
Beres invites Mary to open up to him about her issues

Don't keep it to yourself
Beres encourages Mary not to bottle up her emotions

Remember I'm your friend
Beres reminds Mary that he is here to help and support her

I'll linger for a while and try to make you understand
Beres offers to stay with Mary and help her comprehend what's going on

First, loosen up let's sit and chat
Beres encourages Mary to relax and talk to him

Though I know it isn't easy
Beres acknowledges that it's not easy for Mary to talk about her problems

But it's not the end of the world
Beres reassures Mary that things may seem bad but they're not the end of the world

Take a load off your shoulder
Beres suggests that Mary should take a break from any responsibilities causing her stress

Can you do this for me?
Beres requests Mary's compliance with his advice

My dear Mary
Beres addresses Mary affectionately as he encourages her to take care of herself

Don't do that to yourself
Beres urges Mary not to harm herself mentally or physically

Mary Mary don't get weary
Beres encourages Mary not to give up or lose hope

It's just a part of a play
Beres compares Mary's situation to a theatrical production, suggesting that issues may arise but these are just temporary obstacles

You'll star it up again at the end of the day
Beres suggests that Mary will once again return to being happy and optimistic

After all it's not so bad, things could be worse
Beres reassures Mary that things are not as dire as they may seem

Give me that smile girl, now send him a rose
Beres asks Mary to smile and sends a message to Mary to send to her partner

No no no no
Beres uses this as a musical interlude

My my my my
Beres uses this as a musical interlude

Can you do this for me?
Beres repeats his request that Mary take care of herself

Oh no no oh
Beres uses this as a musical interlude

Smile
Beres reminds Mary to smile despite the difficult situation

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: DONALD DENNIS, PHILLIP BURRELL, BERES HAMMOND, HUGH BERES HAMMOND, PHILIP BURRELL, WINSTON BOWEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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