Give Us Your Blessings
The Shangri-Las Lyrics


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Run, run, run,
Mary, run, run, run,
Jimmy, run, run, run,
Mary, run, run, run,

Mary and Jimmy were both very young
But as much in love
As two people could be
And all they wanted
Was to share that love eternally

They went to their folks they told them
That someday soon they'd be wed
Their folks just laughed
And called them kids
So Mary said

Give us your blessing
Please don't make us Run away
Give us your blessing
Say you'll be there on our wedding day

They wouldn't have laughed at Mary
If they could have seen through the door
But Jimmy was waiting in the car
While Mary begged once more

Give us your blessing
Please don't make us Run away
Give us your blessing
Say you'll be there on our wedding day

Well as they drove off they were crying
And nobody knows for sure




That, that's why they didn't see the sign
That read detour

The next day they found them
Mary and Jimmy were dead
And as their folks
Knelt beside them in the rain
They couldn't help but hear
The last words that Mary and Jimmy had said

Give us your blessing
Please don't make us Run away
Give us your blessing
Say you'll be there on our wedding day

Run, run, run,
Mary, run, run, run,
Jimmy, run, run, run,
Mary, run, run, run,

Overall Meaning

The Shangri-Las' "Give Us Your Blessings" is a narrative ballad that tells of Mary and Jimmy's forbidden love. As two young lovers, they are keen on getting their parents' blessings to wed. However, their parents dismiss them as kids and don't take them seriously, causing Mary to plead with them to give their blessing. This plea falls on deaf ears, and the couple decides to elope. Tragically, on their journey, they accidentally take a detour, resulting in a fatal car crash, leading to their parents finding them dead in the rain.


The song is significant as it tackles the topics of teenage love, rebellion, and death. Listeners can pick out some themes of the 60s, such as the popular trope of rebellious love that seems to go against the norm, and the fear of parents reluctantly accepting teenage romance. Perhaps the song's most striking element is the story behind it. It is quite remarkable that the artistry of the song came from Fran Landesman, who wrote this tale intending to write a play, rather than a song. Her husband, Jay, who was a lyricist and producer, noticed the potential in the words and turned it into a hit song.


Line by Line Meaning

Run, run, run,
The opening line is a plea for movement, seemingly directed at Mary and Jimmy as they frantically try to secure their families' approval for their marriage.


Mary, run, run, run,
Mary is urged to run, symbolizing the need to escape the confines of her disapproving family and embark upon a new chapter in her life with Jimmy.


Jimmy, run, run, run,
Jimmy is also encouraged to 'run', signifying his willingness to stand by Mary's side and fight for their love regardless of the objections of others.


Mary, run, run, run,
The repetition of Mary's name reinforces the idea that she is the driving force behind the couple's attempt to win their families' approval and start a new life together.


They went to their folks they told them That someday soon they'd be wed Their folks just laughed And called them kids So Mary said
Mary and Jimmy approached their families and shared their plans to get married, but were met with ridicule and belittlement, prompting Mary to plead for their support.


Give us your blessing Please don't make us Run away Give us your blessing Say you'll be there on our wedding day
This is the central request of the song- Mary and Jimmy are begging their families to accept their love and give them 'permission' to marry, hoping that this will prevent them from being forced to 'run away' to start their own life together.


They wouldn't have laughed at Mary If they could have seen through the door But Jimmy was waiting in the car While Mary begged once more
The lyrics suggest that Mary's parents would not have objected to the marriage if they could have seen that Jimmy was a good person who would treat their daughter well. However, Jimmy was not seen as a suitable partner- perhaps because of his age, social background or occupation.


Well as they drove off they were crying And nobody knows for sure That, that's why they didn't see the sign That read detour
This verse suggests that Mary and Jimmy were so upset by their families' disapproval that they failed to notice a warning sign, leading them to take a wrong turn which ultimately resulted in their deaths.


The next day they found them Mary and Jimmy were dead And as their folks Knelt beside them in the rain They couldn't help but hear The last words that Mary and Jimmy had said
This last section reveals that Mary and Jimmy died in a tragic accident the day after they pleaded with their families for support. Their loved ones are left with the haunting final words echoing in their minds.


Give us your blessing Please don't make us Run away Give us your blessing Say you'll be there on our wedding day
Finally, the chorus is repeated one last time, underscoring the heartbreak and tragedy of the story while reminding the listener of the couple's earnest desire to be accepted and loved by those around them.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF BARRY, ELLIE GREENWICH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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