Mary Ann Regrets

Burl Ives



I saved up my money to buy my sweetheart some flowers

For Saturday's date and I restlessly counted the hours.

Then today in the mail I received this short little note

And I broke down inside at the message that her mother wrote.



Mary Ann regrets she's unable to see you again;

We're leaving for Europe next week, she'll be busy till then.

They know that she loves me, but poor boys don't fit in their plan.

Good-bye true love, good-bye my sweet Mary Ann.



The weeks have gone by not a word have I heard since then;

In the papers I read of the far away places she's been.

I can't eat, I can't sleep for over and over again

My mind reads that letter and I cry for my Mary Ann.



Mary Ann regrets she's unable to see you again;

We're leaving for Europe next week, she'll be busy till then.

They know that she loves me but poor boys don't fit in their plan.

Good-bye true love, good-bye my sweet Mary Ann.



My Mary Ann died, they said she just wasted away;

If I could have seen her I know she'd be living today.

For we loved each other and if they'd have left us alone,

Today she'd be wearing my ring, not a blanket of stone.



Mary Ann regrets she's unable to see you again;

We're leaving for Europe next week, she'll be busy till then.

They know that she loves me but poor boys don't fit in their plan.

Good-bye true love, good-bye my sweet Mary-Ann



From: "Roy T. O'Conner"