Cook's West Virginia-born mother played guitar and mandolin and sang on local radio shows. Her father, a Georgia native, also performed country music and served jail time for running moonshine. Upon his release, he and Elizabeth's mother played in local bands together, eventually marrying. Elizabeth, born in 1972, moved to Nashville in her twenties and quickly got a publishing deal. Demos recorded between 1997 and 2000 comprised her independently released debut album, "The Blue Album", which showcased her formidable songwriting ability and featured such well-known Music City musicians as Tim Carroll, Kenny Vaughan, and Rick Schell.
She made her major label debut in 2002 with "Hey Y'All". But following a corporate re-structuring that left the album virtually abandoned and stagnant on sales, Elizabeth fought back with her 2005 independent release "This Side Of The Moon", which received positive reviews.
Her album "Balls" was released May 2007. It was been her most successful album to date, thanks to glowing press reviews and significant video play for the song "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman."
Her 2010 album Welder features appearances by an all-star roster of guests including Dwight Yoakam, Crowell and Buddy Miller, and continued her increasing popularity becoming her highest charting album in the U.S.
Her album "Gospel Plow" was released June 2012.
Cook hosts the morning radio show "Elizabeth Cook's Apron Strings" on the Sirius XM radio station Outlaw Country on Channel 60. The show airs weekdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). The show format is a mix of Americana, Outlaw, and Alt Country.
In 2016, Cook released her sixth studio album Exodus of Venus.
Official Site
Half Hanged Mary
Elizabeth Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Birds of a feather gonna burn together
You can cut her loose, but that's okay
She coming down anyway
Not a witch before but sure one now
Her tongue'll look ya in the eye and lie ya out a vow
Ain't worried about fate, ain't worried about sin
Can't make her afraid of dyin' again
Ladies who lunch stood around watchin'
Counted on her to cover their debauchin'
Tying her dress with a tattered sash
Now her necklace is a ropey rash
Had to put her down with them wicked rabies
Fore she made more black cat babies
Can't serve antiquated charms
Please your countrymen with them marked up arms
When you're spookin' the cow, spillin' the hay
Boilin' bedsores and forgettin' pray
Blow, Blow
Best beware of unbridled power
Hell hath no fury like a baby shower
Hate the plague that sure will get ya
Put your church pew in absentia
Maybe if Cotton coulda got a little higher
Woulda turned out better for Mary Dyer
Hell of a reason to sit around and fast
Couple of kids just showin' they ass
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin' ready to blow
Blow, Blow
Who gets to say how you make magic
How the hell they know that heaven ain't tragic
Rife with those who are deceased
There lies your wives and your daddy Increase
Take the pain and lay on penance
With a navel gazing run-on sentence
Invisible things they want you to see
Are the ones that paint them righteously
Make em holier than water, holier than rain
Tell ya what is and what ain't insane
Blow, Blow
Think through the trigger fore you pull it
No such thing as a silver bullet
When you're dealing with the devil and Pentacostin'
Believe they let her off in Boston
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin' ready to blow
Stay on your side of the street
Worry bout the ground under your own feet
Might find yourself danglin' by a ladder
Makin' you nervous, what's the matter
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin' ready to blow
The lyrics of Elizabeth Cook's "Half Hanged Mary" explore themes of oppression, power, and resistance. The song draws inspiration from the historical figure Mary Dyer, a Quaker woman who was hanged in 1660 for her religious beliefs. Through the character of Half Hanged Mary, the song reflects on the societal suffocation of women, the hypocrisy of those who judge and condemn, and the potential for rebellion and change.
In the first verse, we see Half Hanged Mary facing her fate defiantly. The line "Birds of a feather gonna burn together" suggests that she is not alone in her persecution and that others who are deemed different or rebellious will suffer as well. Despite being labeled a witch and facing her impending death, she remains fearless and unafraid. This defiance is depicted through Mary's ability to lie and deceive those who judge her, highlighting the resilience and strength she possesses.
The second verse shows the indifference and betrayal of the women who once relied on Mary. These "Ladies who lunch" turn their backs on her, preferring to maintain their reputation and status rather than standing up for what they believe in. Mary's act of tying her dress with a "tattered sash" symbolizes her shedding the constraints enforced upon her by these conformist women. The reference to "black cat babies" suggests that Mary's presence challenges social norms and threatens the established order.
The third verse alludes to the real-life historical figure Cotton Mather, a prominent Puritan minister during the Salem witch trials. The lyrics suggest that maybe if he had taken a different stance or shown more empathy, Mary's fate might have been different. The baby shower metaphor underscores the notion that those in power often abuse it, and the consequences of their actions can be severe. Mary's rebellion and refusal to conform are seen as threatening, leading to her ultimate defiance and readiness to "blow."
The final verse raises questions about the very nature of power and what is considered acceptable or righteous. The lyrics challenge the notion that those in authority have all the answers, suggesting that their claims of superiority and righteousness may be flawed. The lines "Make em holier than water, holier than rain/Tell ya what is and what ain't insane" criticize the self-righteousness and judgment of society. The song encourages listeners to critically examine the power structures and beliefs that govern their lives, urging them to think for themselves and resist oppressive forces.
Overall, "Half Hanged Mary" is a song that explores themes of societal oppression, the hypocrisy of those in power, and the potential for rebellion and change. It serves as a reminder to question authority and to stand up for what one believes in, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Half Hanged Mary don't mind the weather
Half Hanged Mary is unaffected by external circumstances
Birds of a feather gonna burn together
People with similar characteristics will face the same consequences
You can cut her loose, but that's okay
Trying to free her won't change her fate
She coming down anyway
She will meet her downfall regardless
Not a witch before but sure one now
Though not accused before, she is now labeled a witch
Her tongue'll look ya in the eye and lie ya out a vow
She can convincingly deceive you with her words
Ain't worried about fate, ain't worried about sin
She lacks concerns about her destiny or her wrongdoing
Can't make her afraid of dyin' again
She is fearless of facing death once more
Blow, Blow
A call to action or a warning of imminent trouble
Ladies who lunch stood around watchin'
Wealthy women observe the events unfold
Counted on her to cover their debauchin'
They relied on her to hide their immoral actions
Tying her dress with a tattered sash
Her attire is disheveled and worn
Now her necklace is a ropey rash
Her necklace has transformed into a painful reminder
Had to put her down with them wicked rabies
They had to silence her due to their own corrupt practices
Fore she made more black cat babies
To prevent her from spreading alleged evil
Can't serve antiquated charms
Old-fashioned methods won't bring them satisfaction
Please your countrymen with them marked up arms
They desire to impress their fellow citizens with visible wounds
When you're spookin' the cow, spillin' the hay
Engaging in superstitious acts and causing chaos
Boilin' bedsores and forgettin' pray
Neglecting personal well-being and neglecting prayer
Best beware of unbridled power
One should be cautious of unrestrained authority
Hell hath no fury like a baby shower
The anger unleashed in a baby shower is immense
Hate the plague that sure will get ya
They despise the consequence that will surely come
Put your church pew in absentia
They disregard their obligations to the church
Maybe if Cotton coulda got a little higher
If only their religious leader had more influence
Woulda turned out better for Mary Dyer
Mary Dyer's situation would have improved
Hell of a reason to sit around and fast
A remarkable motive to engage in fasting
Couple of kids just showin' they ass
A few children misbehaving and acting defiantly
Better watch out, better lay low
A warning to be cautious and stay out of sight
Half Hanged Mary gettin' ready to blow
Half Hanged Mary is preparing to cause trouble
Who gets to say how you make magic
Who determines the methods of performing magic
How the hell they know that heaven ain't tragic
How can they be certain that heaven is not sorrowful
Rife with those who are deceased
Heaven is filled with the departed souls
There lies your wives and your daddy Increase
Your deceased loved ones, including your spouse and father
Take the pain and lay on penance
Accept the suffering and endure the punishment
With a navel gazing run-on sentence
Engage in self-reflection through a lengthy, uninterrupted thought
Invisible things they want you to see
They try to make you perceive intangible concepts
Are the ones that paint them righteously
Those concepts portray them as righteous individuals
Make em holier than water, holier than rain
They present themselves as more sacred than essential elements
Tell ya what is and what ain't insane
They dictate what is considered sane or insane
Think through the trigger fore you pull it
Carefully consider the consequences before taking action
No such thing as a silver bullet
There is no magical solution to all problems
When you're dealing with the devil and Pentacostin'
When facing dangerous situations or deceitful individuals
Believe they let her off in Boston
They think she was acquitted in Boston
Stay on your side of the street
Mind your own business and stay in your own territory
Worry bout the ground under your own feet
Be concerned about your own circumstances
Might find yourself danglin' by a ladder
You could end up in a precarious situation
Makin' you nervous, what's the matter
Causing unease and anxiety, what is the issue
Better watch out, better lay low
A repeated warning to be cautious and stay hidden
Half Hanged Mary gettin' ready to blow
Half Hanged Mary is preparing to cause trouble
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Elizabeth Yvonne Cook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind