(by Patty Griffin) Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ashes You're covered in rain You're covered in babies, you're covered in slashes You're covered in wilderness, you're covered in stains You cast aside the sheet, you cast aside the shroud Of another man, who served the world proud You greet another son, you lose another one On some sunny day and always stay, Mary Jesus says Mother I couldn't stay another day longer Flys right by me and leaves a kiss upon her face While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place Mary she moves behind me She leaves her fingerprints everywhere Everytime the snow drifts, everytime the sand shifts Even when the night lifts, she's always there Jesus said Mother I couldn't stay another day longer Flys right by me and leaves a kiss upon her face While the angels are singin' his praises in a blaze of glory Mary stays behind and starts cleaning up the place Mary you're covered in roses, you're covered in ruin you're covered in secrets Your'e covered in treetops, you're covered in birds who can sing a million songs without any words You cast aside the sheets, you cast aside the shroud of another man, who served the world proud You greet another son, you lose another one on some sunny day and always stay Mary, Mary, Mary