Marie
William Clark Green Lyrics
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I've been waiting way too long on a letter from Marie
Her eyes are filled with passion, my heart's full of desire
Jut like the first time we made love beneath the stars in the sky
I'm fighting for our freedom, for the promise land
If I get back from Vietnam I'll put a ring in her hand
I pressed it to my lips hoping this won't be my last
Her words are so neatly strung out along the page
And then they start to smear as the tears roll down her face
I wish I could explain but she just won't understand
If I get back from Vietnam I'll put a ring in her hand
Now the sky has turned to orange man their coming on real fast
You better grab your gun, we got Charlie on our ass
I hear the depths of hell at the bows of the scene
Remember me Marie
If you're reading this letter, I'm sorry that I lied
You will always have my heart but you will never be my bride
If it was the same I would do it all again
Because the day I said I loved you that's exactly what I meant
Now you have a flag for which my life stands
I'm sorry that I never put a ring in your hand
I'm sorry that I never put a ring in your hand
"Marie" by William Clark Green is a powerful ballad about heartbreak, sacrifice, and the brutal realities of war. The song tells the story of a soldier fighting in Vietnam who is desperately waiting for a letter from his lover, Marie. He remembers their past together, their passion, the first time they made love under the stars. He is fighting for their freedom and the promise land. He promises to put a ring on her hand when he returns home from the war.
When he finally receives a letter from her, he opens it and finds a photograph. He presses it to his lips, hoping that it won't be his last chance to do so. Her words on the page start to smear as tears roll down her face because she has received news of his death. He wishes he could explain, but he knows she will never understand. In the end, he apologizes to her for not putting a ring on her hand and promises to always love her.
The song's emotional resonance is clear, evoking feelings of sadness and loss. It is a tribute to those who fought and perished in Vietnam, and a testimony to the impact that war can have on those who are left behind. The tragic ending of the song serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make every day and the emotional toll it can take on their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there Mr. Postman do you have something for me?
The singer is eagerly waiting for a letter from Marie.
I've been waiting way too long on a letter from Marie
The singer has been waiting an extended period of time for a letter from Marie.
Her eyes are filled with passion, my heart's full of desire
The singer and Marie are deeply in love.
Jut like the first time we made love beneath the stars in the sky
The artist and Marie have shared a special moment together.
I'm fighting for our freedom, for the promise land
The artist is fighting for their country during the Vietnam War.
If I get back from Vietnam I'll put a ring in her hand
The singer plans to propose to Marie upon returning from the war.
I opened up the letter, I found a photograph
The singer received a letter from Marie with a photo inside.
I pressed it to my lips hoping this won't be my last
The artist is afraid that he may not make it back from the war.
Her words are so neatly strung out along the page
Marie's letter is well-written and thoughtful.
And then they start to smear as the tears roll down her face
Marie is crying as she writes the letter to the artist.
I wish I could explain but she just won't understand
The singer feels that he cannot adequately explain his experiences to Marie.
Now the sky has turned to orange man their coming on real fast
The war is intensifying and the enemy is getting closer.
You better grab your gun, we got Charlie on our ass
The soldiers are under attack and need to defend themselves.
I hear the depths of hell at the bows of the scene
The singer is in a very dangerous and scary situation.
Remember me Marie
The singer hopes that Marie will never forget him.
If you're reading this letter, I'm sorry that I lied
The artist is apologizing for not being completely honest with Marie.
You will always have my heart but you will never be my bride
The artist will never be able to marry Marie due to his death in the war.
If it was the same I would do it all again
The singer would still make the same choices and join the war, even knowing the outcome.
Because the day I said I loved you that's exactly what I meant
The singer's love for Marie was real and true.
Now you have a flag for which my life stands
Marie now has the American flag that represents the artist's sacrifice for his country.
I'm sorry that I never put a ring in your hand
The artist regrets not being able to fulfill his promise of proposing to Marie.
I'm sorry that I never put a ring in your hand
The artist regrets not being able to fulfill his promise of proposing to Marie.
Contributed by Joshua L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.