At that point the Silvertones represented an amalgam of two styles: the close barbershop harmonies that they had featured when starting out in West Virginia and virtuoso leads supplied by Jeter and Solomon Womack. The group later lost Womack, but added Paul Owens in 1952 and Louis Johnson in 1955. The three singers with their sharply contrasting styles — Jeter a tenor who could sing falsetto withut losing his lyric control, Owens a crooner and Johnson a hard shouter — played off each other to great effect in songs such as "Mary Don't You Weep".
The group recorded for Specialty Records from 1951 to 1955, when it switched to Vee-Jay Records. The group recorded one album with Hob Records after Vee-Jay shut down in 1965, at which point Jeter left the group for the ministry.
The Swan Silvertones were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
Oh Mary Don't You Weep
The Swan Silvertones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand on the rock where Moses stood
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
Well Mary wore three links and chains
On every link was Jesus' name
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Go!
Go!
Well one of these nights bout 12 o'clock
This old world is gonna rock
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Well Moses stood on the Red Sea shore
Smote' the water with a two by four
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Alright!
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Well old Mr. Satan he got mad
Missed that soul that he thought he had
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Brothers and sisters don't you cry
There'll be good times by and by
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Well O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Solo, try it out!
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Hey!
Drums!
God gave Noah the rainbow sign
"No more water but fire next time"
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Everybody!
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
Oooooooh, Mary don't yoooooou
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
The Swan Silvertones' gospel song "Oh Mary Don't You Weep" is a spiritual tune about persecution, salvation, and ultimately, hope. The lyrics utilize biblical references such as Moses, the Red Sea, and Pharaoh's army to create a metaphor of the African American experience. The first verse, "Well if I could I surely would stand on the rock where Moses stood," acknowledges the desire for liberation from oppression. The reference to Pharaoh's army getting "drownded" symbolizes the overthrow of the oppressors. The refrain "O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn" provides comfort and hope in times of struggle, stating that soon the troubles will end. The verse "Well one of these nights about 12 o'clock, this old world is gonna rock" suggests that salvation is on the way.
The song is an example of a coded song, where the words and phrases have hidden meanings that only the intended audience would understand. During times of enslavement in America, African Americans created coded songs to communicate with each other without slave owners noticing. For instance, the phrase "Well Mary wore three links and chains, on every link was Jesus' name" is believed to refer to the Trinity and the belief in God's protection. The line "Pharaoh's army got drownded" has also been interpreted to symbolize the end of slavery.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if I could I surely would
Stand on the rock where Moses stood
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
If I could, I would stand on the same rock where Moses stood looking down and see Pharaoh's army getting drowned; so Mary, there is nothing to be upset about.
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Mary, do not cry and mourn, for Pharaoh's army has drowned, so there is no need for sadness.
Well Mary wore three links and chains
On every link was Jesus' name
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Mary, the chains with Jesus' name on it that you wear were empowered enough to make Pharaoh's army drown, so you don't have to cry.
Go!
Go!
This signifies that something significant is about to happen.
Well one of these nights bout 12 o'clock
This old world is gonna rock
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
The world is going to witness something significant at a particular time, and the drowning of Pharaoh's army was just the beginning, so Mary, don't worry.
Well Moses stood on the Red Sea shore
Smote' the water with a two by four
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Alright!
Moses hit the water with a log, and the Red Sea parted, causing Pharaoh's army to wipe out, so there is no need to be upset.
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Mary, wept in mourning, but the reassurance of Pharaoh's death should make you happy.
Well old Mr. Satan he got mad
Missed that soul that he thought he had
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
The devil is upset for losing the soul he thought he had, but Mary, don't worry about it, for Pharaoh's army drowned.
Brothers and sisters don't you cry
There'll be good times by and by
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Everyone should rejoice and not cry, for the good times will soon come, and Pharaoh's army was wiped out.
Solo, try it out!
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Hey!
There is an exciting sound being made, and Mary, there is no need to be upset.
Drums!
God gave Noah the rainbow sign
"No more water but fire next time"
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
God promised through a rainbow that he would never flood the earth again, but the next time there would be fire; so Mary, don't be sad about Pharaoh's death.
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep
Mary, there is no need to be sad or mourn; Pharaoh's army has drowned.
Everybody!
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Everyone should be joyful and not cry or mourn over Pharaoh's death.
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
Oooooooh, Mary don't yoooooou
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(O Mary don't you weep, don't you mourn)
(Pharaoh's army got drownded)
(O Mary don't you weep)
Mary, don't cry or mourn over Pharaoh's death, for the world is changed forever.
Contributed by Zachary F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@annymaytiedye2055
I believe I heard these guys sing live in the Baptist Church I was going to in Birmingham, Alabama in 1965. I know the members change out from time to time depending on who's able to go out on tour, but I'm pretty sure though it what that was the name of the band they might don't know. It all been the same members that are singing on the record but they're way better live. I was 12 When I went to see him or actually I just went for church and I didn't know they were going to be there. It was a good service though
@kitty2pat
My father used to manage gospel groups when I was a child. As soon as I clicked on this song I was transported back. I said : " Hi Daddy."
@tammytoon4344
Now This Is That Good Old Down Southern Gospel! Foot Stomping! Praise God!
@arethawhite3712
You said that right 😂 I love that album, when that high pitched man hits those high notes the hairs on my neck stand up!!! Trust me, can I get a couple of "Amens" Well!!!
@lindabaer4086
A brilliant performance of this Gospel classic. Thank you for posting!
@reddevil655
The greatest gospel group and the Rev Claude Jetter is unmatched. Check out Savior Pass Me Not By. Wonderful music.
@MelBee128
I prefer this gospel way more than the gospel of today which sounds like people just screaming over an organ. This has a beat and is almost danceable. Praise the Lord!
@JDOUG757
when i was jail it was a guy that use to sing this song. Definitely got me thru some rough days.
@CelestialChoir
Yes! I love Rev. Claude Jeter's soaring falsetto. Glory to God for such stirring music!
@kushkagirl
so smooth and sweet, and what singing! An American classic