Mary Ann [Version 2]
Marianne Faithfull · Other Songs - Marianne Faithfull
Fare thee well a while,
For the ship is a-waiting and the wind blows free
And I am bound away for the sea,
Mary Ann.
If I had a flask of gin,
Whiskey there for two
And a great big bowl for to mix them in
I'd mix a drink for you my dear
Mary Ann.
The lobster boiling in the pot,
The bluefish on the hook;
The pain they bear is nothing like
The ache I bear for you, my dear
Mary Ann.
Fare thee well, my own true love
Fare thee well a while,
For though I go I'll surely come again
Though it be ten thousand miles, my dear
Mary Ann.
Fare thee well, my own true love
Fare thee well, my dear,
For the ship is a-waiting and the wind blows free
And I am bound away for the sea,
Mary Ann.
Mary Ann [Version 2]
Marianne Faithfull's 'Mary Ann [Version 2]' stands as a defining track from her early career, capturing the raw vulnerability and poetic sensibility that characterized her debut period. Recorded in the mid-1960s, the song reflects the era's folk-rock and soul influences while establishing Faithfull as a vocalist of significant emotional depth. The composition explores themes of longing and heartbreak, delivered with a voice that became instantly recognizable for its clarity and unadorned power. As part of her foundational discography, this recording helped shape her reputation as an artist capable of translating personal narrative into universal musical expression. Its enduring appeal lies in its authentic delivery and the way it bridges the gap between intimate storytelling and broader cultural resonance.