HALF HANGED MARY
(based on a poem by Margaret Atwood)
Half Hanged Mary don’t mind the weather
Birds of a feather gonna burn together
You can cut her loose, but that’s okay
She coming down anyway
Not a witch before but sure one now
Her tongue’ll look ya in the eye and lie ya out a vow
Ain’t worried about fate, ain’t worried about sin
Can’t make her afraid of dyin’ again
Blow, Blow
Ladies who lunch stood around watchin’
Counted on her to cover their debauchin’
Tying her dress with a tattered sash
Now her necklace is a ropey rash
Had to put her down with them wicked rabies
‘Fore she made more black cat babies
Can’t serve antiquated charms
Please your countrymen with them marked up arms
When you’re spookin’ the cow, spillin’ the hay
Boilin’ bedsores and forgettin’ pray
Blow, Blow
Best beware of unbridled power
Hell hath no fury like a baby shower
Hate the plague that sure will get ya
Put your church pew in absentia
Maybe if Cotton coulda got a little higher
Woulda turned out better for Mary Dyer
Hell of a reason to sit around and fast
Couple of kids just showin’ they ass
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin’ ready to blow
Blow, Blow
Who gets to say how you make magic
How the hell they know that heaven ain’t tragic
Rife with those who are deceased
There lies your wives and your daddy Increase
Take the pain and lay on penance
With a navel gazing run-on sentence
Invisible things they want you to see
Are the ones that paint them righteously
Make ‘em holier than water, holier than rain
Tell ya what is and what ain’t insane
Blow, Blow
Think through the trigger ‘fore you pull it
No such thing as a silver bullet
When you’re dealing with the devil and Pentacostin’
Believe they let her off in Boston
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin’ ready to blow
Stay on your side of the street
Worry ‘bout the ground under your own feet
Might find yourself danglin’ by a ladder
Makin’ you nervous, what’s the matter
Better watch out, better lay low
Half Hanged Mary gettin’ ready to blow