Mary
george m cohan Lyrics


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My mother's name was Mary
She was so good and true
Because her name was Mary
She called me Mary, too
She wasn't gay or airy
But plain as she could be
I hate to meet a fairy
Who calls herself Marie

For it is Mary, Mary
Plain as any name can be
But with propriety, society will say Marie
But it was Mary, Mary
Long before the fashions came
And there is something there that sounds so square
It's a grand old name

Now, when her name is Mary
There is no falseness there
When to Marie she'll vary
She'll surely bleach her hair
Though Mary's ordinary
Marie is fair to see
Don't ever fear sweet Mary
Beware of sweet Marie

For it is Mary, Mary
Plain as any name can be
But with propriety, society will say Marie
But it was Mary, Mary
Long before the fashions came




And there is something there that sounds so square
It's a grand old name

Overall Meaning

The song "Mary" by George M. Cohan is a tribute to the singer's mother, whose name was Mary. The song celebrates the virtues of a plain, honest, and hardworking woman, who didn't need to use any fancy airs or graces to be admired. The singer contrasts Mary's simplicity with the false elegance of another woman, who goes by the name of Marie. The two names have the same root but are pronounced differently, with Marie having a more elevated and sophisticated ring to it. However, the singer takes a stand for Mary's name, which he sees as more authentic and rooted in tradition. To him, Mary sounds "square," but that's precisely why it's a "grand old name" that deserves respect.


The song reflects the social norms of the early 20th century, when there was a lot of emphasis on proper manners, decorum, and class distinctions. The name you were called by could say a lot about your upbringing, education, and aspirations. The singer seems to rebel against this snobbish attitude and exalts the plainness and simplicity of his mother, who was the real deal. He probably wants to encourage people to value substance over style and appreciate the virtues of humility, hard work, and honesty.


Line by Line Meaning

My mother's name was Mary
The name of my mother was Mary.


She was so good and true
She was very righteous and loyal.


Because her name was Mary
As named 'Mary', she named me Mary as well.


She called me Mary, too
I was also named Mary like my mother.


She wasn't gay or airy
Her personality was not lively or cheerful.


But plain as she could be
However, she was simple in nature and appearance.


I hate to meet a fairy
The singer does not like meeting people who refer to themselves as fairies.


Who calls herself Marie
The artist dislikes people who refer themselves as Marie instead of Mary.


For it is Mary, Mary
The name is Mary, Mary.


Plain as any name can be
The name is straightforward and common.


But with propriety, society will say Marie
Despite the name being Mary, society prefers to use the name Marie instead, which sounds more elegant and sophisticated.


But it was Mary, Mary
The name was initially Mary, Mary.


Long before the fashions came
The name Mary existed before the introduction of glamorous and fashionable names.


And there is something there that sounds so square
The name Mary sounds old-fashioned and outdated.


It's a grand old name
However, Mary remains a great name despite its old-fashioned sound.


Now, when her name is Mary
Naming someone Mary is a true indication of honesty.


There is no falseness there
The name Mary embodies the qualities of being authentic and genuine.


When to Marie she'll vary
However, when someone changes their name to Marie, they become less authentic.


She'll surely bleach her hair
The singer uses a figurative expression to symbolize that switching from the name Mary to Marie is like changing one's outer appearance, which is not authentic and only superficial.


Though Mary's ordinary
Even though Mary seems like a plain and ordinary name,


Marie is fair to see
Marie sounds more elegant and pleasing to the ear.


Don't ever fear sweet Mary
Despite being a plain and common name, Mary is still great and there is no need to fear being named Mary.


Beware of sweet Marie
The singer advises against being too obsessed with having a glamorous name like Marie.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEORGE M COHAN

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

@jamesknezetic

0:01 ~ instrumental intro
0:31 ~ verse 1
My mother's name was Mary.
She was so good and true.
Because her name was Mary,
she called me Mary too.
0:52
She wasn't gay or airy,
but plain as she could be.
I hate to meet a fairy
who calls herself Marie.
1:13 ~ refrain
For it is Mary, Mary —
plain as any name can be.
But with propriety,
society will say Marie.
1:33
But it was Mary, Mary,
long before the fashions came.
And there is something there
that sounds so square;
it's a grand old name.
1:54 ~ instrumental interlude
2:25 ~ verse 2
Now, when her name is Mary,
there is no falseness there.
When to Marie she'll vary,
she'll surely bleach her hair.
2:46
Though Mary's ordinary,
Marie is fair to see.
Don't ever fear sweet Mary;
beware of sweet Marie.
3:07 ~ refrain
For it is Mary, Mary —
plain as any name can be.
But with propriety,
society will say Marie.
3:27
But it was Mary, Mary,
long before the fashions came.
And there is something there
that sounds so square;
it's a grand old name.



@gyeongjeong9682

For it is Mary, Mary
Plain as any name can be
But with propriety, society will say Marie
But it was Mary, Mary
Long before the fashions came
And there is something there that sounds so square
It's a grand old name

Now, when her name is Mary
There is no falseness there
When to Marie she'll vary
She'll surely bleach her hair
Though Mary's ordinary
Marie is fair to see
Don't ever fear sweet Mary
Beware of sweet Marie



All comments from YouTube:

@mec532

In 2009 my aunt Mary passed away. My uncle was nearly blind & deaf and barely said a word to anyone all day the day of her services. Yet at her graveside, he began to sing this song. Stirring tribute

@maryh2730

Yesterday was my grandmas birthday April 8th. She passed away 3 years ago. She used to sing this song to me growing up. I miss her a lot. I love you gram ❤️

@feurigerStern

So sweet! Thank you for sharing

@gabachabonita707

MY MOM'S NAME WAS MARY VIRGINIA FLEMING! SHE WAS BORN 7/9/1923 AND DIED 1/28/1991! THIS WAS HER SONG!

@drewlou2

My Dad Would Sing This Song To Mary.
I will Always Rember When Dad Was Holding Her And Singing Her This Song.
AND with Age, He Still Broke Out In A Course.
I Miss You Sweetheart!!

@cynthex7113

I remember hearing Fay Templeton do this on Broadway. Great Lady!

@anndandy9

Thank you George Cohen.❤️

@garybryson1900

Great song. Love the melody.

@TheTibmeister

Such a beautiful song. Been in my family for generations. A timeless name too.

@joshjacks2837

I just saw Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney for the first time. I was dazzled by the film and am now doubly dazzled by hearing these wonderful songs in their full format.

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