The band's most famous songs have been renditions of the folk music classics "The Log Driver's Waltz" and "Drunken Sailor", as well as a cover of the Arrogant Worms' "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate". This song has become so popular that many fans believe, wrongly, that is of their own creation.
Mary Donnel
Captain Tractor Lyrics
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And I'm longing to make myself that strong
And I come to you every night in my head
And I left home so long ago and it's time to make amends
When I left you I was just a child
Now I need you but I've gone five hundred miles
And I'll find a way back into your arms
But I've been gone for far too long to ever win your charms
From the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
I'm leaving you behind me
Well my name is Mary Donnel and I'm twenty-one today
I've got my walking papers so there's nothing you can say
I'm sick of this old one way town and farms and families too
I'm off to find a better life and I don't need you
Hey, I'm going away
From the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
I'm leaving you behind me
Now I'm Mary from the south side and I've just turned twenty-two
Working tables at the Black Dog and wearing out my shoes
And I guess if getting grabbed is all I'm qualified to do
I need to find a better life where I don't need you
Hey, I'm going away
I'm leaving you behind me
Hey, what's that you say
Your ties will never bind me
All my life, all my life
I've wanted something I can't have
All this time, all my time
Has all been wasted
Now I'm just plain Mary and I think I'm twenty-four
Walked the streets for two years now, it seems like ten or more
I'm petrified and I'm positive and I don't know what to do
Except to find a better life where I don't need you
Hey, I'm going away
From the footlights here that blind me
Hey, what's that you say
There's nothing left inside me
Hey, I'm going away
Someplace you won't find me
Hey, what's that you say
These ties will never bind me
Hey, I'm going away
I'm leaving you behind me
Hey, what's that you say
No one can deny me
The song "Mary Donnel" by Captain Tractor tells the story of a young woman who leaves her hometown in search of a better life. Initially, Mary longs to return home, to make amends with her mother and find her place in the world. However, as the song progresses, Mary becomes more determined to escape the confines of her small town and make a life for herself elsewhere. She feels trapped in her current situation and is willing to do whatever it takes to find a better life.
The lyrics are beautifully written and convey a sense of restlessness and longing. Throughout the song, Mary's voice comes through strongly, and we can feel her pain and frustration as she searches for a way out. The chorus is particularly striking, with Mary repeating "I'm leaving you behind me" as she sets out on her journey.
The song touches on themes of identity, freedom, and the search for a better life. Mary is seeking something that she can't have in her current situation, and she's willing to take risks and go to great lengths to find it. The lyrics are powerful and emotional, making "Mary Donnel" a standout track from Captain Tractor's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Voices calling me home where I belong
I feel a pull towards my hometown that I can't ignore
And I'm longing to make myself that strong
I want to become strong enough to go back home
And I come to you every night in my head
I think about you every night
And I left home so long ago and it's time to make amends
I left home a long time ago and I need to make things right
When I left you I was just a child
I was very young when I left you
Now I need you but I've gone five hundred miles
I need you now but I'm so far away
And I'll find a way back into your arms
I'll find a way to come back to you
But I've been gone for far too long to ever win your charms
I've been gone so long that I don't think I can win your love back
Hey, I'm going away
I'm leaving
From the footlights here that blind me
I'm leaving the entertainment industry that's been keeping me from home
Hey, what's that you say
What are you trying to tell me?
I'm leaving you behind me
I'm leaving you behind and moving on
Well my name is Mary Donnel and I'm twenty-one today
My name is Mary Donnel and I just turned twenty-one
I've got my walking papers so there's nothing you can say
I have my job termination papers so I'm free to leave
I'm sick of this old one way town and farms and families too
I'm tired of this town where everything is the same
I'm off to find a better life and I don't need you
I'm leaving to find a better life and I don't need your permission
Now I'm Mary from the south side and I've just turned twenty-two
Now I'm Mary living on the south side and I just turned twenty-two
Working tables at the Black Dog and wearing out my shoes
I'm working hard as a waitress at the Black Dog and my shoes are wearing out from it
And I guess if getting grabbed is all I'm qualified to do
I feel like my only qualifications are getting unwanted attention from men
I need to find a better life where I don't need you
I need to find a better life where I don't have to rely on you
All my life, all my life
Throughout my whole life
I've wanted something I can't have
I've always wanted something I can't attain
All this time, all my time
My whole life
Has all been wasted
Feels like I've wasted my whole life
Now I'm just plain Mary and I think I'm twenty-four
I'm just myself now and I'm pretty sure I'm twenty-four
Walked the streets for two years now, it seems like ten or more
I've been roaming the streets for two years, but it feels like a lot longer
I'm petrified and I'm positive and I don't know what to do
I'm scared and hopeful, but I don't know what my next step should be
Except to find a better life where I don't need you
I need to find a better life where I don't have to rely on you
There's nothing left inside me
I'm empty
Someplace you won't find me
I'm going somewhere you won't be able to track me down
Your ties will never bind me
You'll never be able to control me again
No one can deny me
No one can stop me from pursuing what I want
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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