Crazy Mary
One of my favorite Pearl Jam songs wasn’t even written by them. It was written by Victoria Williams. It’s called Crazy Mary. Pearl Jam’s performances of this song vary wildly, but it’s always clear that they love playing it. And boy do I love singing along to it. Hope you enjoy. Lyrics are below.
Crazy Mary – Performed by Pearl Jam
She lived on a curve in the road, in an old tar-paper shack
On the south side of the town, on the wrong side of the tracks
Sometimes on the way into town we’d say:
“Mama, can we stop and give her a ride?”
Sometimes we did but her hands flew from her side
Wild eyed, crazy MaryDown a long dirt road, past the Parson’s place
The old blue car we used to race
Little country store with a sign tacked to the side
Said “No L-O-I-T-E-R-I-N-G allowed”
Underneath that sign always congregated quite a crowdTake a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it aroundOne night thunder cracked mercy backed outside her windowsill
Dreamed I was flying high above the trees, over the hills
Looked down into the house of Mary
Bare bulb blown, newspaper-covered walls, and Mary rising up above it allNext morning on the way into town
Saw some skid marks, and followed them around
Over the curve,through the fields, into the house of MaryThat WHAT you fear the most, could meet you halfway
That WHAT you fear the most, could meet you halfway
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
Take a bottle, drink it down, pass it around
July 2nd, 2008 19:04
That’s one of my favorites too!!
July 3rd, 2008 12:03
You can find a studio version of Crazy Mary on the Tribute CD for Lucinda Williams Sweet Relief which came out in 1993. Lucinda sings back up vocals and it’s a killer version of the song.
Love Eddie! Love Pearl Jam! Thanks for posting this.
Now take the bottle, drink it down and pass it around!
Cee
July 5th, 2008 17:43
I need to get my hands on that CD. I’ve heard it but never have owned it.