Lyr Req: Mary Danced with Soldiers (Paul Kennerley

Subject: Lyric Help: Mary Danced with Soldiers
From:
Date: 25 Feb 97 - 01:04 PM

Is there anyone out there that knows the lyric to "Mary danced with soldiers"? Emmylou Harris sings this song written by Paul Kennerly on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle be Unbroken 2". I can't quite make out some of the lyric as emmylou sings it. Can you help? Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyric Help: Mary Danced with Soldiers
From: belter
Date: 27 Apr 97 - 04:24 PM

I was litsening to circl 2 a bit ago, and I'll see if I can transcribe the words. I can't promise I'll figure them all out.

Subject: Lyr Add: MARY DANCED WITH SOLDIERS (Paul Kennerley
From: belter
Date: 28 Apr 97 - 12:30 PM

MARY DANCED WITH SOLDIERS (Paul Kennerley)

She'd slip away each day with the dimming light,
And with the sweetest smile, she'd kiss the child goodnight.
Afternoon, she worked her fingers till they were raw,
For the sake of her son and the daddy he never saw.

CHORUS: Mary danced with soldiers,
(?) She stepped a light wild drill,
Shawl across her shoulders,
To keep away the chill,
To keep away the chill.

It was a rebel boy who brought her joy, they say.
Though the years had passed, the memories stood fast each day.
Before a bullet cost the life of their (?) old man,
He gave her a shawl and a parasol from France. CHORUS

They came around to the tavern in town that night,
And with silent pride, Mary never tried to fight.
They cut her hair and left her body torn.
Her spirit slipped away before the dawn.

Mary danced with soldiers,
But now her body's still.
Shawl across her shoulders,
To keep away the chill.

ch.

Recorded by Emmylou Harris and The Dirt Band on Will the Circle Be Unbroken volume two. I couldn't be sure of a line in the chorus and the half a line in the second verse. Any one know those?

Subject: RE: Lyric Help: Mary Danced with Soldiers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Apr 97 - 09:45 PM

I think that line in the chorus is "She stepped a light quadrille." A quadrille is a square dance for four couples, consisting of five parts or movements, each complete in itself. (Random House College Dictionary). I'd say the transcription of that questionable second verse sees about right. I'd like to more about this song - I think there might be a good story behind it. Anybody know more? -Joe-