Ocean-Born Mary: Lyrics and the Story Behind the Song

I first read about “Ocean-Born Mary” in a book about New England folklore. I had owned the book for many years but never really noticed that story until I was living in Concord, New Hampshire. As I was looking through the index, I saw that there was a story that took place in Henniker, New Hampshire. My boys and I had been to Henniker many times and were friends with two families that lived up there. I read the story to my boys, and we were totally fascinated with it.

I read many different accounts and combined them all together to form the song. There are many true facts in the song, but I also included parts of the story that are more legend than fact.

After I wrote the song, my boys and I visited Mary’s grave. There, I thanked her for the song. And, several years after that, we were invited for a private tour of the “Ocean-Born Mary” house. How amazing it was to walk in Mary’s footsteps in that amazing house!

Song Lyrics

Mary is rocking in her favorite chair.
She is thinking of another.
While the flames flicker on her long, red hair—
She reflects upon a treasure.

Mary was widowed at an early age.
She had four sons and one daughter.
They moved in with another, and she earned her wage—
From the Captain who had named her.

Chorus
It was your destiny to be
Born upon the sea
Named by a man with a cutlass sword
Once your mother gave her word.

Mary was married in a green, silk gown.
There were flowers on the fabric.
Embroidered by a woman in a far-off town
With fine hands so sure and quick.

The cloth was a gift on the day she was born
when her vessel, fair, was boarded.
Her mother made a promise and an oath was sworn—
The name, Mary, was recorded.

Chorus
It was your destiny to be
Born upon the sea
Named by a man with a cutlass sword
Once your mother gave her word.

There is a story of a windy night—
Shovels digging in the earth.
A chest was carried and bolted tight—
Could be something of great worth.

One night, Mary came home to find
The house was dark and silent.
She ran to the orchard in the field behind.
Lord, his end had been violent.

Chorus
It was your destiny to be
Born upon the sea
Named by a man with a cutlass sword
Once your mother gave her word.

Song Credits

Holly Hanson: vocals, acoustic guitar
Steve Hayes: background vocals, Nashville-tuned guitar
David Eure: violin
Sven Larson: upright bass

Written by Holly Hanson. © 2011 Wild Braid Music (BMI). All rights reserved.

Ocean-Born Mary appears on the album Strawberry Moon by Neptune's Car.