Mary, carry your babe

Bound up tight like lips around a whimper

Your fingers over my face

Blind eyed Samson driven to the temple

And night birds digging until dawn

Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone

Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds

But his mama says he'll walk on water

And wander back home



Mary, carry your shame

Well past all those eyes across the avenue

Fish heads running from rain

You know i'll do anything you want me to

Lamp oil lovers may say

"freedom hangs like heaven over everyone"

Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds

But his papa's going to hide shaking gristle

And shaking like bone



Mary, carry my name

Hoof marks hacked up all i had to offer you

Looked all over this place

Lost your portrait lately when the winter blew

In like herod and them

Freedom hangs like heaven over everyone

Ain't nobody knows what the newborn holds

But a dollar says he'll lick that devil

And do it alone