THE LADY MARY SAILS



And what will I wear when the Mary sails?

A dress as red as red can be.

I'll think of him when the Mary sails,

And she takes him far away from me.



A week and a month and a year go by;

The stars go traveling 'round the sky.

Won't weep, won't hear me cry,

When the Lady Mary sails.



And what will I wear when the corn's to cut?

His old brown britches, tied with a string.

I'll think of him when the corn's to cut

And the geese are crying on the wing.



CHORUS



And what will I wear when the baby's born?

His old white shirt to give me ease.

I'll think of him when the baby's born,

Whose daddy's gone to sail the seas.



CHORUS



And what will I wear when the Mary comes?

A widow's veils and a widow's black.

I'll think of him when the Mary comes:

The man who won't be coming back.



CHORUS



And what will I wear when his stone's to set?

Some ribbons off my wedding dress.

I'll think of him when his stone's to set:

It's one man more and one man less.



CHORUS

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Words and music by Goodenough and Muir, copyright BMI.



Recorded by Ann Mayo Muir on "So Goes My Heart," FSI-99 copyright

1985.



"I can't imagine a more lonely life than that of a woman married

to a seafaring man, especially in the old days. She often had to

endure years of separation, raising her children alone, while

waiting for the day the returned - if he returned at all. Judy

Goodenough's lyric describes a rare, stoic acceptance of this

plight." - AMM

@sailor @marriage

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