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The Life of Mary May

from Shameless Winter by Daisy Chapman

supported by
Oleg Sergeyev
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lyrics

Mary was born in May
The heat of '76
And while she slept her mother wept
What stricken life is this?
Her father, blue collar
Exported the dollar
Each winter, the squallor
Protected from his daughter
 
Oh the life of Mary May
 
Mary had just turned three
When Daddy turned his back
And while she slept her mother wept
He's never to come back
She tucked Mary's hair behind her ear
A mother's touch divine
And the tears she cried they didn't dry
The year 1979.
 
Mary was seventeen
When she left the house for good
Her mother'd not recovered from
The damage from the flood
Lawyer bills, insurance claims
Left nothing there but debt
And the spring of '93
She put a pistol to her head.
 
Now she lives in the basement getting curious stares
From the man and the lady who are living upstairs
If she had a child she'd be seen as human
With help from the government and help for schooling
The impending fate of the welfare state
As she waits in line at the communion shrine
Locked in confession with a sinful priest 
Trying to make ends meet with her benefits ceased
And she sells her soul just to pay the rent
It's the shameless winter of her discontent
 
Oh Mary was thirty three
When flashing blue outside
A child surrendered days ago
A note lay by her side
Life is full of exits
And choices make or break
But all her splendour's wrapped up
In the bowels of one mistake.
 
Oh the life of Mary May.

credits

from Shameless Winter, released October 2, 2012
Vocals, Gym Ball: Daisy Chapman
Loose change (from varying currencies including Poland, Mexico, Greece, Euro, US Cents): Ali Chant

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Daisy Chapman Bristol, UK

Daisy Chapman is an incredibly well-travelled pianist and vocalist who draws influences from the anti-folk world. It’s hard to pinpoint Daisy’s unique style. Every song harbours a dark story of love, lust and loss told through her exquisite voice and piano, with Sue Lord on violin bringing the performance to harmonious ending transcending boundaries and genres. ... more

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