Mary Queen of Arkansas
Bruce Springsteen
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Mary queen of Arkansas, it's not too early for dreamin' The sky is grown with cloud seed sown and a bastard's love can be redeeming Mary, my queen, your soft hulk is reviving No, you're not too late to desecrate, the servants are just rising Well, I'm just a lonely acrobat, the live wire is my trade I've been a shine boy for your acid brat and a wharf rat of your state Mary, my queen, your blows for freedom are missing You're not man enough for me to hate or woman enough for kissing The big top is for dreamers, we can take the circus all the way to the border And the gallows wait for martyrs whose papers are in order But I was not born to live to die, and you were not born for queenin' It's not to late to infiltrate, the servants are just leavin' Mary queen of Arkansas, your white skin is deceivin' You wake and wait to lie in bait and you almost got me believin' But on your bed, Mary, I can see the shadow of a noose I don't understand how you can hold me so tight and love me so damn loose But I know a place where we can go, Mary Where I can get a good job and start all over again clean I got contacts deep in Mexico where the servants have been seen
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Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Release"Mary Queen of Arkansas" is a song written and performed by American musician Bruce Springsteen. It was officially released on August 25, 1972.
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Album AppearanceThe song appeared on Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.," which was released in 1973.
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Demo Recordings"Mary Queen of Arkansas" was one of the demo songs that Springsteen initially recorded for manager-producer Mike Appel in 1972, which led Appel to successfully pitch Springsteen to Columbia Records.
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Unique StyleUnlike many of Springsteen's other popular songs, "Mary Queen of Arkansas" is a slow, quiet acoustic ballad. It has been praised for showcasing the young Springsteen's raw poetic lyricism.
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Lyrics ThemeThe song is about a drag queen in Arkansas. The lyrics can be interpreted as portraying a relationship that does not conform to societal norms, a recurring theme in Springsteen’s music.
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First Recorded PerformanceThe first known recorded performance of "Mary Queen of Arkansas" was at a New York City radio station, WBCN, just prior to his debut album's release.
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Live Performances"Mary Queen of Arkansas" is not frequently performed live by Springsteen. According to Brucebase, an online database of Springsteen's performances, the song has been played less than twenty times since its debut.
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Song ReceptionCritical reception to the song has been somewhat mixed. Some critics feel the song, while showcasing Springsteen's talent for storytelling, lacks the engaging and energetic sound of his later hits.
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InfluenceSpringsteen's melody and chord structure for "Mary Queen of Arkansas" are believed to have been influenced by earlier folk artists like Bob Dylan.
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PreservationDespite mixed reviews, "Mary Queen of Arkansas" and the rest of Springsteen's debut album remain an important piece of his music legacy. "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." was included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
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"Mary Queen of Arkansas Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3037656/Bruce+Springsteen/Mary+Queen+of+Arkansas>.
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