Mari Mac
Great Big Sea · Road Rage [2000]
And make no mistake she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lots of other fellas try to get her on the back.
But I'm thinkin' they'll have to get up early.
Chorus
Mari-Macs mother's makin' Mari-Mac marry me
My mother's makin' me marry Mari-Mac
Well I'm gonna marry Mari cause Mari's takin' care o' me.
We'll all be feelin' marry when I marry Mari-Mac.
Now Mari and her mother are an awful lot together
In fact you hardly see the one without the other
And people often wonder if it's Mari or her mother
Or both of them together I'm courting
(chorus)
Well up among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Well I had a Bonnie lass sittin' on my knee
A bumble bee stung me right above the knee
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee
(chorus)
Well I said to bonnie lass how we gonna pass the day
She said among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Where all the boys and girls are making out so free
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee
(chorus)
Wedding's on a Wednesday, everything's arranged
Soon you'll never change your mind unless you minus change
Of making the arrangements and feelings lots of rage
Marriage is an awful undertaking
(chorus)
Sure to be a grand for grand of that a fair
Gonna be a fork and plate for every man thats there
And I'll be a bugger if I don't get my share
All though I may be very much mistaken
(chorus)
There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari Mac
Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lot's of other fellas try to get her on her back
But I think they're gonna have to get up early
(chorus)
Mari Mac
Great Big Sea's "Mari Mac" stands as a defining track from their 2000 album Road Rage, encapsulating the band's signature blend of traditional Irish folk and modern rock energy. Released during a pivotal era for the group, the song exemplifies their ability to weave complex, driving rhythms with authentic Celtic melodies. As a staple of their discography, "Mari Mac" showcases the band's mastery of the acoustic guitar and fiddle, creating a soundscape that bridges the gap between ancient storytelling and contemporary performance. The recording remains a cornerstone of their catalog, reflecting the raw, unpolished aesthetic that characterized their work in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It serves as a testament to their enduring influence on the folk revival scene, capturing the spirit of a generation through music that feels both timeless and distinctly of its moment.