Though born in Dayton, Ohio, Barlow was raised in Jackson, Michigan and then Westfield, Massachusetts. He is widely considered to be among the most prolific and ground-breaking indie musicians of the 1990's. He's best known for his work with Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion and Dinosaur Jr.'s original and current lineup. Many labels have been applied to his unique brand of acoustic rock, including lo-fi, folk-pop and folkcore. Barlow's latest album, his second official solo effort under his own name, is titled Goodnight unknown.
Mary
Lou Barlow Lyrics
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Crazy Mary it's good that you lied
A test tube baby, seed of the lord
Breaking the law with the man next door
Blame it on an angel, they'll believe
Joseph will wonder but you know he won't leave
They all love you like I still do
Mary, Mary under veil of stars
You changed the world, you broke my heart
Thank you Mary, you saved me too
They'd stone us both if they ever knew
Sold out the manger, well alright
The mystery baby got a supernova spotlight
They say that he's the One
Brother Joseph got a king for a stepson
Mary kissed me and we lost control
The oldest story never told
Crazy Mary you're forever divine
They'll never know the baby's mine
The song "Mary" by Lou Barlow is a complex and multi-layered examination of the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, reimagined in a modern context. The lyrics suggest that Mary lied about being a virgin and instead used a test tube baby, breaking the law by having an affair with the man next door. Barlow takes a cynical view of the story, dismissing the idea of the immaculate conception and suggesting that Mary's story was a fabrication designed to control people's beliefs. The line "Immaculate conception, yeah right" is particularly noteworthy for its blunt skepticism.
The lyrics also explore the way that Mary's story has been used to manipulate people throughout history. Barlow implies that Mary was a victim of the powerful forces that used her image to create a powerful myth around the birth of Jesus. He suggests that Mary was not in control of her own story, and that she was manipulated by others for their own purposes. The lines "Sold out the manger, well alright / The mystery baby got a supernova spotlight" are particularly insightful in this regard, highlighting the way that the story of Jesus has been commercialized and marketed over the centuries.
Overall, "Mary" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to reconsider their assumptions about one of the most famous stories in human history. It is a testament to Barlow's skill as a songwriter and his ability to create complex, nuanced narratives that resonate deeply with his audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Immaculate conception, yeah right
Sarcastically saying that the story of an immaculate conception is not believable.
Crazy Mary it's good that you lied
It was good that Mary lied so that they could have a chance together.
A test tube baby, seed of the lord
Comparing the conception to being made in a test tube but also blessed by God.
Breaking the law with the man next door
Having an affair with the neighbour.
Blame it on an angel, they'll believe
Suggesting Mary could have easily lied about an angel causing the pregnancy and people would believe her.
Joseph will wonder but you know he won't leave
Joseph may have his doubts but he won't leave because he loves Mary.
They all love you like I still do
Mary is loved by everyone, including him.
Magin in the air, swirling around you
The image of magic surrounding her and the baby.
Mary, Mary under veil of stars
Mary shining under the stars, as she is divine.
You changed the world, you broke my heart
Mary is powerful enough to change the world, but he is heartbroken knowing that the baby isn't his.
Thank you Mary, you saved me too
Mary saved him as well by being there for him when he needed her.
They'd stone us both if they ever knew
They would both be punished if anyone found out about their affair and the true identity of the baby.
Sold out the manger, well alright
Jokingly saying that Mary sold out the manger by giving birth to Jesus there.
The mystery baby got a supernova spotlight
Jesus receives a lot of attention and is in the spotlight due to his story about the immaculate conception.
They say that he's the One
Many believe Jesus is the chosen one.
Brother Joseph got a king for a stepson
Joseph gains a king as a stepson, referring to Jesus being the King of Kings.
Mary kissed me and we lost control
They couldn't resist temptation and ended up having an affair.
The oldest story never told
Their story is a common one, but is rarely talked about.
Crazy Mary you're forever divine
Mary is divine and will always be remembered for that.
They'll never know the baby's mine
The father of the baby (him) will always be kept a secret.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sarah McLachlan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind