Lyr Req: I'll Be There, I'll Be There, Mary Dear

Subject: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 01:49 PM

I am searching for the lyrics to "Mary Dear" by "Gene Autry". Can anyone help? I wonder if any other artists have performed this song.
Thanks ...pyewacket

Subject: ADD: Mary Dear
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:04 PM

Mary Dear

Goodbye Mary I must go
Said a lad, now don't grieve so
For it's duty calls me far across the sea
Take this Autumn leaf of gold
Said the lad, 'twill ne'er grow old
Always wear it next your heart and think of me

Meet me yonder down the lane
When I come back home again
'Neath that old tree where this golden leaf once grew
Kiss me Mary then we'll part
Said the lad with broken heart
When the leaves begin to fall I'll be with you

Chorus; I'll be there, Mary dear, I'll be there
When the fragrance of the rose fills the air
'Neath that old tree grand and tall
When the leaves begin to fall
I'll be there, yes I'll be there
Sweet Mary dear


See the lad with empty sleeve
With his comrades taking leave
He was home again the transport had come back
If she loved you long ago
She won't love you less, I know
For one arm will do to hold her to you, Jack

It was Autumn time again
When he wandered down the lane
There beneath that old oaak tree he found a grave
Then he knelt in silent prayer
For the one he loved slept there
And the tears fell on the golden leaf she gave

    Hope you enjoy   John

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: pdq
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:10 PM

Bill Clifton did an excellent version under the title "I'll Be There, Mary Dear". It is on Bill Clifton "The Early Years 1957-8", Rounder CD 1021. The CD is interesting in showing John Duffey before The Country Gents and Mike Seeger before the New Lost City Ramblers.

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Mark Clark
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:28 PM

I've sung this for years but have never heard it by Autry; I'll have to look for a recording. For some reason, I thought Clifton wrote it. One tiny correction to John's lyrics above. The fifth line should, I believe, be “Said a maid ’twill ne’er grow old.”

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:32 PM

Did Gene Autry really write this song, or just sing it? I know that at least some of his songs were written for him by others. Not talking about covers, but written for him.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:50 PM

Just for a moment I thought that might have been from a Dave Houlden fan. He wrote a lovely parody of Willie 'Ole Lad which started Oh Mary
Lass Wahts this you're doing.

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:10 PM

No, not an Autry original. It goes back a lot farther than that.

Words by Andrew B. Sterling, music by Harry von Tilzer, 1902.

I've got more than that SOMEWHERE. I'll look for it later.

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:12 PM

Oh, I meant to say that Charlie Poole had a version, mid 20s, and I know there were others even earlier. That is among the info that I don't know the whereabouts at the moment.

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:14 PM

I used to sing this one as a boy.

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 05:19 PM

Gene Autry's "Mary Dear" can be heard and collected at the Record Lady, Requests page 6 (near the bottom of the list).
Index at Index

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Stewie
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 05:39 PM

From Meade et alia:

Byron G. Harlan 'I'll Be There Mary Dear' ED 8164 [1902]
Roy Harvey and North Carolina Ramblers 'I'll Be There MD' Br 234 [1928]
Richard Harold 'Mary Dear' Co 15426-D [1929]
Charlie Poole and Nth Carolina Ramblers 'Goodbye Mary Dear' Co 15456-D [1929]
Lester McFarland & Robert A. Gardner 'When Leaves Begin to Fall' Br 561 [1931]
Roy Harvey & Jess Johnson with WV Ramblers 'Goodbye MD' Champion S-16331 [1931]
Gene Autry 'Mary Dear' OK 05599 [1940]

--Stewie.

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Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Mary Dear Response
From: pyewacket
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 04:30 PM

My thanks to all who responded to my request for lyrics to "Mary Dear".   Guest John I greatly apprecite your enclosure.   This song has been lost to me for many years!

pyewacket

Subject: RE: Mary Dear Response
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 08:33 PM

Thats the Cat for you !!!!!

Subject: RE: Searching for Lyrics to Mary Dear
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 03:25 AM

The song is properly called I'LL BE THERE, I'LL BE THERE, MARY DEAR and it was indeed written by Andrew B. Sterling (words) and Harry Von Tilzer (music), copyright 1902. The Library of Congress American Memory Collection doesn't have a complete copy (not online anyway) but it does have the first page which appeared as an advertisement on the back of the sheet music for a different song. The words on that first page correspond pretty closely to what Gene Autry sang, and what Guest John posted above.