Bringing Mary Home

This is a bluegrass song made famous by the Country Gentlemen during the early 60s. I once worked with a guy who claimed that this incident happened on the old highway 18 bridge which crossed the Catawba River just north of Morganton, NC. I have also heard the incident happened in Maryland. Probably didn't happen at all, but it makes a great song, and a good story. I don't know who actually wrote it, but any search for bluegrass lyrics will find it.



Bringing Mary Home I was driving down a lonely road one dark and stormy night When a little girl by the roadside showed up in my headlights I stopped and she got in back and in a shaky tone She said: My name is Mary, please won't you take me home?

She must have been so frightened all alone there in the night There was something strange about her, for her face was deathly white She sat so pale and quiet in the back seat all alone I'll never will forget that night I took Mary home

I pulled into the driveway where she told me to go Got out to help her from the car and opened up the door But I just could not believe my eyes 'cause the back seat was bare I looked all around the car but Mary wasn't there

A light shone from the porch, someone opened up the door I asked about the little girl that I was looking for Then a lady gently smiled and brushed a tear away She said: It sure was nice of you to go out of your way

But thirteen years ago today a wreck just down the road Our darling Mary lost her life and we miss her so Thank you for your trouble and the kindness you have shone You're the thirteenth one who's been here bringing Mary home

Well, every time I ever crossed the Catawba on a rainy night I always looked for Mary. Never saw the babe. I really enjoy playing and singing the song as well.