Mary Don't You Weep
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known m… Read Full Bio ↴Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known mononymously as Prince, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip hop.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19, soon releasing the albums For You (1978) and Prince (1979). He went on to achieve critical success with the influential albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, and was also the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred. Purple Rain garnered continued success for Prince and was a major commercial achievement, spending six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack also won Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released the album Sign o' the Times (1987), widely hailed by critics as the greatest work of his career. In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the "Love Symbol") and was often referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (or TAFKAP) or simply The Artist.

After signing with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000. Over the next decade, six of his albums entered the U.S. top 10 charts. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material left in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home after his death, including fully completed albums and over 50 finished music videos. He also released songs under multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made popular after being covered by other musicians, most notably "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor and "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Released posthumously, his demo albums Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) and Originals (2019) both received critical acclaim.

Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)

Studio albums
For You (1978)
Prince (1979)
Dirty Mind (1980)
Controversy (1981)
1999 (1982)
Purple Rain (1984)
Around the World in a Day (1985)
Parade (1986)
Sign o' the Times (1987)
Lovesexy (1988)
Batman (1989)
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Love Symbol (1992)
Come (1994)
The Black Album (1994)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos and Disorder (1996)
Emancipation (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
The Truth (1998)
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone... (2002)
Xpectation (2003)
N·E·W·S (2003)
The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
The Slaughterhouse (2004)
Musicology (2004)
3121 (2006)
Planet Earth (2007)
Lotusflow3r (2009)
MPLSound (2009)
20Ten (2010)
Plectrumelectrum (2014)
Art Official Age (2014)
HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)

Posthumous releases:
Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018)
Originals (2019)
Welcome 2 America (2021)

Prince also released two albums credited to Madhouse, three albums credited to the New Power Generation, and one credited to the N.P.G. Orchestra:

Madhouse:
8 (1987)
16 (1987)

The New Power Generation:
Goldnigga (1993)
Exodus (1995)
Newpower Soul (1998)

The N.P.G. Orchestra:
Kamasutra (1997)

For Serbian singer Princ, please use Princ.

Mary Don't You Weep
Prince Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

No, Mary, don't you weep
Oh Mary, don't you moan
Oh yeah, he'll be home soon
Oh, yeah Mary, don't you weep
Oh, Martha, don't you mourn, oh yeah
He'll be home soon
Oh, Mary, yeah
Oh, Martha don't you moan, yeah
He'll be home soon
Oh, Mary, don't you weep
Oh, Martha, don't you moan

Jesus
Of Nazareth
Helped us move, Lord

Hmm Mary
Hmm Mary
Oh Mary
I need
Martha, don't you moan
I got a bad, bad feeling, baby, he ain't coming home, no
I guess you know me well now
I don't like winter
But I seem to get a motherfuckin kick out of doing you wrong
Yeah, yeah
Mama, don't you mourn, no
I got a bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah
I guess you know me well
I don't like no snow
No winter
No cold
But Marry, yeah
Girl, you know I like your shhh, yeah
I got a bad bad feeling that your man ain't coming home, yeah
Oh Martha, girl
You cooked the greatest son that's in the world
Mary, Mary, don't you mourn, yeah
I got that bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah




Home
Oh Martha, don't you mourn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Mary Don't You Weep" by Prince depict a conversation between the singer, Mary, and Martha. The song is rooted in biblical references, drawing inspiration from the story of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. The repetition of the lines "Mary, don't you weep" and "Martha, don't you mourn" suggests a message of hope and resilience during difficult times.


The song starts with reassurance to Mary, telling her not to weep and assuring her that he will be home soon. The mention of Jesus of Nazareth helping them move signifies a connection to their faith, emphasizing divine assistance.


As the song progresses, the tone changes. The singer expresses a sense of guilt and remorse, admitting to causing pain and mistreatment. The line "I don't like winter, but I seem to get a motherfuckin' kick out of doing you wrong" portrays self-awareness of their destructive behavior. Despite this, the singer still pleads for forgiveness and affection from Mary, acknowledging her qualities and expressing a desire to be with her despite the uncertainty.


Overall, "Mary Don't You Weep" captures themes of love, forgiveness, and the complexities of human relationships. It explores the internal conflict of someone who recognizes their tendencies to hurt others but yearns for connection and redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

No, Mary, don't you weep
Mary, please don't cry or be sad


Oh Mary, don't you moan
Mary, please don't groan or complain


Oh yeah, he'll be home soon
Yes, he will return home shortly


Oh, yeah Mary, don't you weep
Yes, Mary, please don't cry or be sad


Oh, Martha, don't you mourn, oh yeah
Martha, please don't grieve or be sorrowful


He'll be home soon
He will return home shortly


Oh, Mary, yeah
Oh, Mary, yes


Oh, Martha don't you moan, yeah
Martha, please don't groan or complain, yes


He'll be home soon
He will return home shortly


Oh, Mary, don't you weep
Oh, Mary, please don't cry or be sad


Oh, Martha, don't you moan
Martha, please don't groan or complain


Jesus
Referring to Jesus, the religious figure


Of Nazareth
From the town of Nazareth


Helped us move, Lord
He assisted us in making progress


Hmm Mary
Interesting, Mary


Hmm Mary
Interesting, Mary


Oh Mary
Oh, Mary


I need
I require or want


Martha, don't you moan
Martha, please don't groan or complain


I got a bad, bad feeling, baby, he ain't coming home, no
I have a strong sense of worry or uncertainty that he won't return home


I guess you know me well now
I suppose you have become familiar with my character or tendencies


I don't like winter
I don't enjoy the season of winter


But I seem to get a motherfuckin kick out of doing you wrong
However, I inexplicably find pleasure or satisfaction in mistreating you


Yeah, yeah
Yes, yes


Mama, don't you mourn, no
Mother, please don't grieve or be sorrowful


I got a bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah
I have a strong sense of worry or uncertainty that your partner won't return home


I guess you know me well
I suppose you have become familiar with my character or tendencies


I don't like no snow
I don't like snow at all


No winter
I don't want winter


No cold
I don't want cold temperatures


But Marry, yeah
But, Mary, yes


Girl, you know I like your shhh, yeah
Girl, you know I enjoy your presence or companionship


I got a bad bad feeling that your man ain't coming home, yeah
I have a strong sense of worry or uncertainty that your partner won't return home


Oh Martha, girl
Oh, Martha, girl


You cooked the greatest son that's in the world
You raised and nurtured an exceptional son


Mary, Mary, don't you mourn, yeah
Mary, Mary, please don't grieve or be sorrowful


I got that bad, bad feeling your man ain't coming home, yeah
I have a strong sense of worry or uncertainty that your partner won't return home


Home
Referring to one's place of residence


Oh Martha, don't you mourn
Oh, Martha, please don't grieve or be sorrowful




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alex Haynes

K M u oughtta check out the following songs by Prince:

1. God
2. The Cross
3. The Holy River
4. Still Would Stand All Time
5. Anna Stesia
6. 👁 No
7. The Love We Make
8. The Rainbow Children
9. The Work (part 1)
10. Everywhere
11. The Everlasting Now
12. Last December
13. Elephants & Flowers
14. The Word



All comments from YouTube:

Karima Milena

I was just recently in the cinema watching BlackkKlansman by Spike Lee. And then suddenly, after those really shocking last minutes of the film (sequences I saw back then when they happened), when credits came, this song started with his voice. Sitting in the dark cinema with tears rolling down my cheeks. What a genius of Spike Lee to get this song for his film. Missing Prince but then again he is always there <3

Rowena Knights

exactly the same. Stopped my breathing.

liviusss

Same, I just finished watching the movie with tears rolling on my face... Very good movie and amazing soundtrack BTW - I am a long time Prince fan, but didn't knew Terence Blanchard, glad to have found him through the movie.

Yenna Bella

I had the same reaction!

Cleft Heart

@Alonda Thomas same here 😁

Alonda Thomas

Saw that same movie, heard this song as the credits were rolling, and wondered who it was. I already knew Take 6's version of the song, which I love, but I honestly didn't recognize who was doing this version until the credits ID'd the artist as Prince. I'm sitting there like, "What?" because I'd never heard this before. Really liked it too.

5 More Replies...

mickleesongs

I once watched him at a Grand Piano play Mozart flawlessly, segue into Chopin, then Liszt, then without skipping a beat, morph into some flawless Jazz. Pissed me off...how can anyone have THAT much talent, and the time to develop it ? I don't believe we'll ever see his like again.

William Allen

@Ignacio Lago Yes, you can YouTube Prince performing Summertime,from the musical Porgy and Bess. His Father played piano too, mainly jazz.

Vera Yuno

I couldnt agree more as regards your las words. For me Prince was at the same level of a Mozart or a Da Vinci or any othet genius who lived in this earth. I still dont get used to the fact he is not recording a new alnum. In my dreams I still wait for his new song. Sobbing my ass off. ❤

Vera Yuno

Couldn"t be so much agree bro' about your last words. For me he eas at the same level of a Mozart or Da Vinci or any other real perfect genius. I miss him badly. In m

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