Bootleg Betty
Bette Midler Sings The Heavenly “Mary”
By Mister D
April 21, 2025
“Mary” is a song by Patty Griffin from her 1998 album Flaming Red. Later, Bette Midler sang it on her Divine Miss Millennium tour. It’s a poignant, introspective ballad that showcases Griffin’s ability to weave emotional depth and vivid imagery into her songwriting. The song is often interpreted as an exploration of sacrifice, love, and the burdens carried by a figure who embodies unconditional devotion, potentially inspired by the biblical Mary, mother of Jesus. However, Griffin leaves it open to broader interpretation.
Themes and Meaning
Sacrifice and Selflessness: The lyrics portray a character named Mary, who gives endlessly to others, perhaps at the expense of her own well-being. Lines like “Mary, you’re covered in roses, you’re covered in ashes” suggest a duality of beauty and suffering, hinting at martyrdom or the weight of carrying others’ pain.
Maternal or Divine Love: Many listeners see the song as referencing the Virgin Mary, symbolizing unconditional love and the sorrow of watching a loved one (like Jesus) suffer. However, Griffin’s Mary could also represent any woman or person who quietly bears emotional or societal burdens, reflecting universal themes of caregiving and resilience.
Ambiguity and Universality: Griffin’s songwriting avoids explicit storytelling, allowing “Mary” to resonate on multiple levels. It could be about a mother, a friend, or even an aspect of the self that nurtures others. The open-endedness invites listeners to project their own experiences onto the song.
Musical and Lyrical Elements
The song’s sparse arrangement, with Griffin’s raw, emotive vocals and gentle guitar, amplifies its intimacy. The simplicity lets the lyrics shine, creating a meditative, almost spiritual atmosphere.
Key imagery, such as “roses” (representing beauty and love) and “ashes” (symbolizing grief and loss), evokes a sense of life’s highs and lows, grounding the song in both hope and sorrow.
Cultural and Personal Context
Griffin has never publicly confirmed the song’s exact inspiration, which aligns with her tendency to let her work speak for itself. Fans and critics often note that Flaming Red was a shift toward a more polished, rock-influenced sound for Griffin, but “Mary” stands out as a quiet, folk-leaning moment that harkens back to her roots as a storyteller. Some speculate it reflects her observations of women in her life or her own struggles with identity and purpose.
Trivia: Bette Midler did record one of Patty Griffin’s songs, Moses, on her 2000 album, Bette. She also sang it on her television series as a duet with Dolly Parton. The duet was divine, Impeccable harmonies. They should record together more often.
