Mary, carry your babe
bound up tight like lips around a whimper
your fingers over my face
blind eyed Sampson 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
anybody knows what the newborn holds
but a dollar says he'll lick that devil
and do it alone