1. Mary is a f… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least eight artists using the name Mary:
1. Mary is a four-piece band from Oulu, Finland. The band took the first steps in the early 1990's. Line-up changed frequently in the first few years and was stabilized after the mid-90's to create an original mixture of rock, metal, hardcore and punk with progressive elements and Finnish lyrics.
After the band first surfaced, they've always had a reputation as a phenomenal and energetic live band. The sheer in-your-face approach to the lyrical section has also created mixed emotions. Even though, or perhaps because of this, the Mary fans have always been a small but an enthusiastic and passionate crowd.
Mary has released several self-financed albums, such as the 5-track burst called "Inhohimo" (2002), 7-inch vinyl single "Mary vs. Mary" (2003) in co-operation with KTOK Records in which where the band, against all expectations experimented with English lyrics. In April 2007, the latest 5-track EP titled "Paha siemen" (direct translation: Bad Seed) was released.
2. Mary was also the name of a heavy/progressive post-punk power trio from Vancouver, Canada, active during the late 80s and early 90s that recorded one EP and one full album. There's also a live album and a late-90s reunion out there.
3. Mary is also the name of an all-girl pop rock band from New Zealand.
4. MARY is japanese singer and ex- i've sound vocalist.
5. MARY is a Dutch dance pop act who became known for their cover of a 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor song.
6: Mary is a Danish grunge band, which was made at a school in jutland called Vester Thorup Efterskole.
7. Mary is a Croatian techno DJ, playing mostly during the 1990s and 2000s.
8. Mary is a Polish black punk band.
If I Had My Way
Mary Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was the strongest man that ever lived on Earth.
One day old Sampson was walking alone
He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone.
He lifted up that jaw-bone and he swung it over his head,
And when he got to moving ten thousand was dead.
If I had my way,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.
Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson he crawled up on the lion's back
You read about this lion - he killed a man with his paw
Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
And he ripped that beast till the lion was dead
And the bees made honey in the lion's head.
If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.
Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair
She had lovely looks, God knows, and cold black hair
Delilah she climbed up on Sampson's knee
And said "tell me where your strength lies, if you please"
She talked so fine, she talked so fair,
Sampson said Delilah, cut off my hair,
Shave my head just as clean as your hand
And my strength will be like a natural man.
If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.
If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.
The lyrics to Mary's song "If I Had My Way" are a modern retelling of the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. The song tells the story of how Samson, the strongest man on Earth, defeated a lion and an army of men using only his bare hands and the jawbone of an ass. The song also describes how Samson was betrayed by Delilah, a woman he loved, who cut off his hair, which was the source of his strength.
The song is a powerful expression of the desire for justice and righteous anger against those who seek to oppress and exploit. The image of tearing down the building is symbolic of the desire to destroy the structures of power that perpetuate oppression and inequality.
The lyrics of "If I Had My Way" have been interpreted by many artists over the years, including Blind Willie Johnson, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Reverend Gary Davis. The song has become a beloved classic and a testament to the enduring power of folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
You read about Sampson, you read about his birth
Sampson is known for his incredible strength and his story is well known.
He was the strongest man that ever lived on Earth.
Sampson was known as the most powerful person to have ever lived on Earth.
One day old Sampson was walking alone
Sampson was walking alone one day.
He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone.
While walking, Sampson saw an old jaw-bone on the ground.
He lifted up that jaw-bone and he swung it over his head,
He picked up the jaw-bone and swung it over his head.
And when he got to moving ten thousand was dead.
Because of Sampson's incredible strength, swinging the jaw-bone resulted in the deaths of ten thousand people.
If I had my way,
The singer is expressing a strong desire.
If I had my way in this wicked world,
In this cruel world, if the singer had their way.
If I had my way I would tear this building down.
The singer would destroy this building if given the opportunity.
Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson and a lion were in a battle.
Sampson he crawled up on the lion's back
Sampson got on the lion's back.
You read about this lion - he killed a man with his paw
The lion had previously killed a man with its paw.
Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
Sampson wrapped his hands around the lion's jaw.
And he ripped that beast till the lion was dead
Sampson killed the lion by ripping it apart.
And the bees made honey in the lion's head.
Bees made honey inside the lion's skull.
Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair
Delilah was an attractive woman.
She had lovely looks, God knows, and cold black hair
Delilah's appearance was striking and unique, with black hair.
Delilah she climbed up on Sampson's knee
Delilah sat on Sampson's knee.
And said "tell me where your strength lies, if you please"
Delilah asked Sampson where his strength comes from.
She talked so fine, she talked so fair,
Delilah spoke in a charming manner.
Sampson said Delilah, cut off my hair,
Sampson told Delilah to cut off his hair.
Shave my head just as clean as your hand
He asked Delilah to shave his head bald.
And my strength will be like a natural man.
Without his hair, Sampson believed he would lose his strength.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: REV. GARY DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shirleypena4133
For those here who are saying that this song ISN'T a folk song you could not be more WRONG. This song, originally known as "Samson and Delilah" is a traditional folk song that's based on the Biblical tale of Samson and his betrayal by Delilah.
Although the song's author is often credited as the folk/blues singer/songwriter "Reverend" Gary Davis, several earlier versions were recorded under various titles by various artists such as Blind Willie Johnson's version "If I Had My Way, I Would Tear This Building Down" in 1927. The song has since been performed by a wide variety of artists ranging from Bob Dylan, Charlie Parr, Dave Van Ronk to Peter, Paul and Mary, Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band (in Verona, Italy 2006).
Rev. Gary Davis's recording can be heard on the compilation album 'The Music Never Stopped: Roots of the Grateful Dead.'
To Thomas Maguire: I suggest you redefine your definition of "folk" music.
To davidb10se3: no, they are not "stoned" here. I know Peter Yarrow and
he has assured me that Peter, Paul and Mary NEVER performed stoned.
Paul Stookey recently told my associate the same thing when he was asked
that same question last month in an interview.
@ryearnd
who making music today has the message? the courage? the commitment? and the soul to deliver anything close to this? The times the era forged this passion and love for all of gods creation and all brothers and sisters in god. Today we have turned our back on our creator and its no wonder that we are so empty.
@CHUCK1213
I named my cat after these wonderful people and this song. I had the honor of meeting Paul Stookey years ago in a tiny bookstore in Alexandria Virginia. God Bless them and God be with Mary RIP. I love them.
@drabdr
Peter Paul and Mary could teach the performing industry a lot. These three worked extremely hard to present their heart in the form of music and make it poetry. And they were brilliant at it.
@jeffhansman2829
Lucky enough to see them perform this to a packed Hollywood Bowl in the early 70's, and the audience went wild. I've never forgotten it. For all you folkie purists out there, just enjoy the incredible energy and talent these three brought to the song, OK?
@danielyoung5137
Jeff l believe l may have been at that same show! Paul (Noel) made a comment about the “Bollywood Hole” and there was a live action televised screen behind them so we could see their faces in close-up!
@Jenniferhos
I actually got to sing back up for Peter Paul and Mary in 1997 at Kent State University. It was a very special moment for me.
@nonniemom
RIP Mary..thanks for sharing your God given gifts all these years..you've left behind such beauty for all of us.
@haileyh500
They were absolutely fabulous! WOW!
@dardanus999
They never failed to entertain as well as teach and extend your musical experience. I wonder how many hundreds of hours I spent transformed listening to their records.
@acintoli
I dare anybody to find the same quality and joie de vivre in today's performers! We should find a way to make these artists stay young and healthy forever!