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MARY IN BLACK
I first sang 'Mary in Black' with the children of St. Joseph's School, Penola on my first visit there. In writing the song I was grateful for helpful information from Sr. Patricia Mary White RSJ of Penola, regarding three episodes in Mary’s young adult life. As told in the song’s three verses:
1. Mary, aged 18-19, goes to work as a governess on the property of her uncle, near Penola in South Australia. As well looking after the children of the owners, she insists on caring for an Aboriginal child born to one of the station hands.
2. With the encouragement of Fr. Julian Tenison Woods, Mary, aged twenty-four, begins teaching poor children in the town of Penola. The school is an old stable that had been adapted by her brother, John.
3. On the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1866, while teaching at the school, Mary begins wearing a plain, black dress as a symbol of her special dedication to God.
In performance, this song could be dramatised - with the main group singing the 'Chorus A' sections eg: "Mary it's just a shack. What is the matter..etc", perhaps pointing sharply at 'Mary' every time they sing the word 'what'. The 'Chorus B' sections could be sung by a soloist as Mary: "The sky is blue. My mind is clear. My heart is full of love and blue is the sky." See full lyrics below.
lyrics
*******
MARY IN BLACK
1. Mary took the baby, (while) the mother tried to sleep -
One of many children that she held in her keep.
On old Penola Station eyebrows were raised -
The father was a black man, so Mary wasn't praised.
CHORUS A: They said: "Mary, the baby's black, girl!
What is the matter with your mind girl?
What is the trouble in your heart, girl?
What is the colour of your sky?"
CHORUS B: She said: "The sky is blue. My mind is clear.
My heart is full of love and blue is the sky."
2. Started in a stable, old and tumbledown,
But Mary was determined to create a school in town.
She was young and single, conditions were quite crude,
Opinions were divided and some were just amused:
CHORUS A: They said: "Mary it's just a shack, girl!
What is the matter with your mind girl?
What is the trouble in your heart, girl?
What is the colour of your sky?"
CHORUS B: She said: "The sky is blue. My mind is clear.
My heart is full of love and blue is the sky."
3. Mary put the dress on, simple and severe:
A symbol of her calling, yes she saw the future clear.
Family were suspicious: "Who does she think she is?
Another fancy notion and think of all she'll miss!"
CHORUS A: They said: "Mary, you've put on black, girl!
What is the matter with your mind girl?
What is the trouble in your heart, girl?
What is the colour of your sky?"
CHORUS B: She said: "The sky is blue. My mind is clear.
My heart is full of love and blue is the sky.
The sky is blue. My mind is clear.
My heart is full of love and blue is the colour of the sky."
credits
released August 6, 2021
** See also a VIDEO created by Joshua Rubio. The YouTube link is: youtu.be/ulFhKeihZZU
RELATED RESOURCES for 'Mary In Black':
Available through Peter Kearney's Online Store:
1. CD-AUDIO: The cd for the whole album 'All the World is Sacred' (16 songs, mainly for children) is available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356138
2. CD-ROM: The music book for the whole album 'All the World is Sacred' (16 songs) is out of print. However, the 'book' it is still available as a cd-rom containing pdf scans of all pages & cover. Available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/553820
3. PDF MUSIC for the song 'Mary In Black': peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/705989
RECORDED at the Little Portion Studio, Welby, NSW. Arranged and produced by Peter Kearney.
SOLO vocals by Louise Cassidy and Peter Kearney.
Adult CHOIR: Louise Cassidy, Clare Michael, Peter Michael and Frank Iacono.
Guitar and other instruments are played by Peter Kearney
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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