Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Mary Danced With Soldiers
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And with the sweetest smile she'd kiss the child goodnight
At the mill she'd work her fingers till they were raw
For the sake of her son and the daddy he never saw
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
It was a rebel boy who brought her joy they say
Though the years had passed the memories stood fast each day
Before a bullet crushed the life of their romance
He gave her a shawl and a parasol from France
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill
They came around to the tavern in town that night
And with silent cries Mary never tried to fight
They cut her hair and left her body torn
Her spirit slipped away before the dawn
Mary danced with soldiers
But now her body's still
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill
Mary danced with soldiers
She stepped a light quadrille
Shawl across her shoulders
To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill
The song "Mary Danced With Soldiers" by Emmylou Harris is a haunting and poignant story of a woman named Mary who sacrifices everything for the sake of her son and the father that he never knew. The opening lines describe Mary slipping away each day with the dimming light, likely to work long hours at the mill to provide for her son. Despite the hardship, Mary always wore a sweet smile and kissed her child goodnight, showcasing her love and dedication as a mother.
The chorus reveals the title of the song: Mary danced with soldiers. The lyrics suggest that she found some happiness with a rebel soldier, but their love was tragically cut short when he was killed in battle. The soldier gave Mary a shawl and a parasol from France as a token of their love. The imagery of Mary dancing with soldiers despite her difficult life speaks to her resilience and her determination to find moments of joy and escape.
The final verse is a heart-wrenching depiction of violence and tragedy. Mary is attacked, likely by soldiers who once brought her happiness, and is left with her body torn and her spirit slipping away. She is now still, with only her shawl to keep away the chill.
Overall, this song is a powerful commentary on the sacrifices made by working-class women and the tragedies that can befall them in a time of war. It also speaks to the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
She'd slip away each day with the dimming light
Mary would leave each evening as darkness approached.
And with the sweetest smile she'd kiss the child goodnight
Mary would always kiss her child goodnight with a kind smile.
At the mill she'd work her fingers till they were raw
Mary labored strenuously at the mill until her hands were sore.
For the sake of her son and the daddy he never saw
Mary worked hard for the sake of her child and the absent father he will never know.
It was a rebel boy who brought her joy they say
According to popular belief, Mary found happiness in the arms of a rebel boy.
Though the years had passed the memories stood fast each day
Even after much time had elapsed, Mary could still remember her past experiences vividly.
Before a bullet crushed the life of their romance
Tragically, their love affair was brought to an untimely end with a fatal gunshot wound.
He gave her a shawl and a parasol from France
The rebel boy presented Mary with a French shawl and parasol as a gift.
They came around to the tavern in town that night
One night, they visited the local tavern in Mary's town.
And with silent cries Mary never tried to fight
Despite feeling frightened and expressing her fear silently, Mary did not resist.
They cut her hair and left her body torn
Mary's attackers grotesquely mutilated her hair and physically harmed her.
Her spirit slipped away before the dawn
Regrettably, before dawn, Mary's spirit departed her body.
Mary danced with soldiers
Mary loved dancing with soldiers.
She stepped a light quadrille
She danced a type of quadrille with ease and grace.
Shawl across her shoulders
Mary wore a shawl draped around her.
To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill
The shawl kept her warm.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PAUL KENNERLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind