In 1983, she decided to become a psychologist, enrolling in Yeshiva University. She continued playing music while completing her PhD, and began to have some success as part of a duo with Shawn Colvin. However, when they began to attract record company interest, Kaplansky declined, choosing instead to set up a private practice and become a staff psychologist at a New York hospital. For several years, she concentrated largely on her work, and played little in the way of concerts. However, she still did some session work, such as singing backing vocals in the studio for Suzanne Vega.
By the early 1990s she found herself increasingly drawn back to music. Colvin, who by this time had experienced some commercial success, offered to produce an album for her. The result, The Tide, a mixture of her own songs and several covers, was released by Red House Records (Greg Brown's label) in 1994. At this time, she decided to give up her psychology practice, and return to music full-time. She released her second album, Flesh and Bone, in 1996.
In 1998 Kaplansky joined with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell to form the folk group Cry Cry Cry, which made an album and toured extensively as a result of the success of the original six week tour.
1999's Ten Year Night won rave reviews and boosted her popularity, leading to performances on CBS-TV. She followed that album in 2001 with Every Single Day.
The Red Thread, released in early 2004, includes songs about adopting her new daughter Molly, who Lucy and her husband Rick brought home from China in late 2003, and several songs relating to her experiences living in downtown Manhattan during 9-11. In 2007 she released her latest album Over the Hills.
Mary and the Soldier
Lucy Kaplansky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traditional, arranged by Paul Brady
Come all ye lads of high reknown
That would hear of a fair young maiden
And she rode out of a summer's day
For to view the soldiers parading
They marches so bold and they looked so gay
The colors flying and the bands did play
I'll wed you my gallant soldier
She viewed the soldiers on parade
And as they stood at their leisure
And Mary to herself did say
At last I've found my treasure
But oh how cruel my parents must be
To banish my darling so far from me
But I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
You wild undaunted soldier
Oh Mary dear your parents love
I pray don't be unruly
For when we're in a foreign land
Believe me you'll rue it surely
And if in battle I might fall
By a shot from an angry cannonball
And you so far from your daddy's hall
Be advised by your gallant soldier
I have fifty guineas in bright gold
Likewise a heart that's bolder
And I'll leave them all and I'll go with you
You wild undaunted soldier
So don't say no but let me go
And I will face the daring foe
And we'll march together to and fro
And I'll wed you my gallant soldier
And when he saw her loyalty
And Mary so true hearted
He said then darling married we'll be
And nothing but death will part us
And when we're in a foreign land
I'll guard you darling with my right hand
In the hopes that God might stand a friends
To Mary and her gallant soldier
Mary and the Soldier is a traditional folk song that portrays the story of a young maiden, Mary, who falls in love with a soldier on parade. She is so smitten with him that she decides to leave home and go with him to a foreign land. He warns her of the perils she may face, but she remains steadfast in her loyalty to him. They get married and pledge to be together until death separates them. The song narrates the tale of a young couple who are willing to sacrifice everything for their love, even if it means fighting a war far from home.
The song is full of vivid imagery and emotions. It captures the essence of love and loyalty in times of war. The soldier is portrayed as a hero and protector, while Mary is seen as a young woman with a rebellious streak, willing to defy her parents and societal norms for love. The lyrics highlight the dangers of war and the sacrifices people make for love, which is a recurring theme in traditional folk music.
Overall, the song is a poignant love story that captures the essence of the human spirit in times of hardship, sacrifice, and war. It is a reminder that love, loyalty, and bravery are never extinguished, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all ye lads of high reknown
Greetings to all the esteemed gentlemen
That would hear of a fair young maiden
Who are ready to listen to the story of a beautiful young lady
And she rode out of a summer's day
One summer day, she went for a ride
For to view the soldiers parading
To see the soldiers march past
They marches so bold and they looked so gay
The soldiers marched with confidence and looked happy
The colors flying and the bands did play
The colours flew and bands played music
And it caused young Mary for to say
This made young Mary say
I'll wed you my gallant soldier
I'll marry you, my brave soldier
She viewed the soldiers on parade
She watched the soldiers marching
And as they stood at their leisure
As they stood idly
And Mary to herself did say
Mary said to herself
At last I've found my treasure
I've finally found my treasure
But oh how cruel my parents must be
My parents must be very cruel
To banish my darling so far from me
To push my love far away from me
But I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
But I'll leave them and come with you
You wild undaunted soldier
You brave and fearless soldier
Oh Mary dear your parents love
Oh dear Mary, your parents love you
I pray don't be unruly
Please don't be disobedient
For when we're in a foreign land
When we are in a far-off land
Believe me you'll rue it surely
You will surely regret it
And if in battle I might fall
If I die in battle
By a shot from an angry cannonball
From a shot fired by a cannonball in anger
And you so far from your daddy's hall
And you so far from your father's home
Be advised by your gallant soldier
Listen to your brave soldier's advice
I have fifty guineas in bright gold
I have fifty guineas in shining gold
Likewise a heart that's bolder
Also a bolder heart
And I'll leave them all and I'll go with you
I'll leave everything and go with you
You wild undaunted soldier
You brave and fearless soldier
So don't say no but let me go
So don't refuse, let me go
And I will face the daring foe
I'll face the enemy bravely
And we'll march together to and fro
We'll march together here and there
And I'll wed you my gallant soldier
And I'll marry you, my brave soldier
And when he saw her loyalty
When he saw her faithfulness
And Mary so true hearted
And Mary so truthful
He said then darling married we'll be
He said that they will be married, my dear
And nothing but death will part us
And only death can separate us
And when we're in a foreign land
When we are in a far-off land
I'll guard you darling with my right hand
I'll protect you, my dear, with my right hand
In the hopes that God might stand a friend
Hoping that God will support them
To Mary and her gallant soldier
For Mary and her brave soldier
Contributed by Isabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
c d
Wonderful! I teared up at multiple points with the emotions this song triggers. I look forward to the days of casual neighborhood interactions, and eventually, music concerts again. Thank you.
Mark Ritter
Beautiful song, Lucy. I loved it! So much hope! It's an anthem for our time!
Lisa Johnson
Thanks for shining the light on truth and hope in these times. Wonderful song! Stay safe and sane and healthy!
Sydney Griffin
Wonderfully written . . . thank you for a great song which touches so many of our truths today.
Matt Cantillon
Moved me to tears. Thank you and your husband.
Shawn STL
Thanks for bringing some hope into my day. Bless you!
Gary Burgess
Enjoyed your new song Lucy. We certainly need these words more than ever right now.🎤👍👏🙏
Ole Dalby
This tunnel of us holding each other is beyond what words can express. Thank you for this song. A chant or a hum rap, hey, rap hum song, hey, ok, maybe that would lift us too. Thank you for the love and inspiration. The ending of the song with the smile in your eyes put a tear in mine.
PAUL'S EMAIL
Wow. Thanks for shining a light. Great words and music. Hope to see you again at the Turning Point or up at Truro.
Jean A Railla
Beautiful song Lucy.