The original Mary, Don’t Weep is a Black-American spiritual – considered one of the most important spirituals – which originated sometime before the Civil War. The original version is directed at St. Mary of Bethany, in reference to when she and her sister, St. Martha, wept at the death of St. Lazarus recorded in Chapter Eleven of the Gospel of St. John. The version recorded here is has original lyrics redirected toward Our Lady.
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.Gabriel stood by the manger door
Bringing tidings of joy evermore,Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.The Lord told Joseph what to do
To keep His Son safe and true,Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.Mary spoke to Jesus with a mother’s plea
He turned the water into wine for all to see.Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.Mary stood by her son’s side As He hung on that cross so high,
And Satan’s Army got drownded, Oh Mary don’t you weep.Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.Mary was taken up to heaven high
Where she reigns as Queen of the sky,Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Oh Mary don’t you weep no more,
Pharaoh’s Army got drown-ded,
Oh Mary don’t you weep.