Spanish Mary Lyrics
With cargo they did carry
They sailed away on the ocean blue
For the love of Spanish Mary
So deeply now were they disturbed
No longer could they tarry
Swoon and swerve
For the love of Spanish Mary
In Kingston town of high degree
The buffoon, the fool, the fairy
All paid the dues and inquired to me
For the love of Spanish Mary
Beggar man, beggar man
Tell me no lie
Is it a mystery to live
Or is it a mystery to die
I seek ye not to ask of you
It was in Kingston town indeed
It is said they stopped but not for greed
But for the love of Spanish Mary
I remember well, they came one day
The buffoon, the fool, the fairy
They asked of me what could I say
For the love of Spanish Mary
No rumor do I carry
No, I'll not give you one word
But for the love of Spanish Mary
Beggar man, beggar man
Tell me no lie
Is it a mystery to live
Or is it a mystery to die
About
Like all the songs on this album, “Spanish Mary” has lyrics written by Bob Dylan while the music, vocals, and arrangements were done by others. Rhiannon Giddens arranged, sang, and played banjo for this track.
The official music video, released October 14, 2014, is made up of strange animation, an ode to its psychedelic roots.
The lyrics to this song were written by Dylan in 1967 in Woodstock, New York. The original handwritten lyrics can be seen below.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Rhiannon Giddens, who lent her vocals and wrote the arrangement for the track, commented:
Out of all the lyrics I looked through for the New Basement Tapes project, the one for ‘Spanish Mary’ attracted me first – here was a ballad, and I know ballads! It’s also set in the Caribbean, so I felt the deep African sound of the minstrel style banjo (circa 1856) was appropriate. It was an absolute thrill to get to set music to Dylan’s lyrics, what an opportunity! This project is marked with utter generosity from everyone involved.
- 3.Kansas City
- 4.Spanish Mary
- 10.Florida Key
- 13.Stranger
- 14.Card Shark
- 17.Diamond Ring
