O Mary, Don't You Weep

Thinking about preaching on the parting of the Red Sea this coming week. Discovered this clip of Georgia sharecroppers on YouTube. And found a couple different versions of the lyrics. Interesting to see what happens to a traditional song. A couple of the lyrics focus on the story... a couple are clearly contemporary adaptations (as the YouTube clip is!).

O MARY DON'T YOU WEEP DON'T YOU MOURN

O Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn
O Mary, don't you weep, don't you mourn
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep

Some of these mornings bright and fair
Take my wings and cleave the air
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep

When I get to heaven goin' to sing and shout
Nobody there for turn me out
Pharaoh's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep

When I get to Heaven goin' to put on my shoes
Run about glory and tell all the news
Pharaoh's army got drowned
O Mary don't you weep

If I could I surely would,
Stand on the rock where Moses stood.
Pharoah's army got drownded,
O Mary don't you weep.

Mary wore three links of chain,
Every link was Jesus' name.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

Mary wore three links of chain,
Every link was Freedom's name,
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

One of these nights about twelve o'clock,
This old world is gonna reel and rock.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

Moses stood on the Red Sea shore,
Smotin' the water with a two-by-four.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
No more water but fire next time.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

The Lord told Moses what to do,
To lead those Hebrew children through.
Pharoah's army got drownded
O Mary don't you weep.

Well, Satan got mad and he knows I'm glad.
Missed that soul that he thought he had.
Now, didn't Pharaoh's army get drownded?
O Mary, don't you weep.

Cheer up, sisters and don't you cry.
There'll be good times bye and bye.
Didn't Pharaoh's army get drownded?
O Mary, don't you weep.

And here's the Boss' new version of it: