Advent Reflection 3: Mary

Mary, you're covered in roses,
    you're covered in ashes
    you're covered in rain
You're covered in babies,
    you're covered in slashes
You're covered in wilderness,
    you're covered in stains
You cast aside the sheet,
    you cast aside the shroud
Of another man,
    who served the world proud
You greet another son,
    you lose another one
On some sunny day and always stay,
Mary

Jesus says Mother
    I couldn't stay another day longer
Flys right by me
    and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels are singin' his praises
    in a blaze of glory
Mary, stays behind
    and starts cleaning up the place

Mary, she moves behind me
She leaves her fingerprints everywhere
Everytime the snow drifts,
    everytime the sand shifts
Even when the night lifts,
    she's always there

Jesus says Mother
    I couldn't stay another day longer
Flys right by me
    and leaves a kiss upon her face
While the angels are singin' his praises
    in a blaze of glory
Mary stays behind
    and starts cleaning up the place

Mary, you're covered in roses,
    you're covered in ruin
    you're covered in secrets
You're covered in treetops,
    you're covered in birds
Who can sing a million songs
    without any words
You cast aside the sheets,
    you cast aside the shroud
Of another man,
    who served the world proud
You greet another son,
    you lose another one
On some sunny day and always stay

Mary, Mary, Mary

(A song by Patty Griffin, from her 1998 A&M album, Flaming Red.)