Music of the Season – Mary Mary

Greetings Dear Reader,

This is one of those songs that is one of my earliest Christmas memories.  It is not as well-known but it is very ponderous and lovely. The nursery that I went to as a boy was a very interesting place.  It was called the Stork Resort.  One of the ladies who cared for us was named Annie.  She sang all the time in her rich southern lilt.  She sang this song even when it was not Christmas time.

Aside from her voice my favorite rendition of it is the one recorded in 1962 by Harry Belafonte.  Sarah McLachlan recorded a medley of this and The First Noel on her Christmas Album, Winter Song.  This is also a lovely rendition.

For me it causes me to think deeply about the intimacy between Mary and her Son.  It humanizes Christ in a very respectful way while still acknowledging his deity.  The title below is also a link to this beautiful song.  Perhaps you can take a moment to ponder it with me.

Mary Mary - Unknown

Mary, Mary, had a little baby,

Oo pretty little baby,

Oo pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king.

Star a shinin', shinin' on the manger,

Oo, shinin' on the manger

Oo, welcoming a stranger

Glory be to the newborn king.

Mary, Mary, who was here who knew him,

Oo, did anybody know him,

The ox and the donkey they bowed right down before him,

Glory be to the newborn king.

Mary, what you gonna name your baby?

Oo, pretty little baby,

Mm, pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king.

Some call him Manuel, think I'll call him Jesus,

Mm, yes think I'll call him Jesus

Mm, my pretty little Jesus

Glory be to the newborn king

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."