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Les Trois Maries / The Three Marys

by Heather Preston (Barbary Anne)

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about

I wrote this for an album being compiled by a friend by and about women: women in history, women working, etc. After the crucifixion of Jesus, there were periods of violence toward the Christians - and this story arose from one of those, said to occur around the year 47. The French legends of the sea voyage and landing (at Saintes Maries de la Mer) of the three Marys: Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobe (or Mary of Cleophas), her daughter Mary Salome, and their North African beloved servant, who became Saint Sara-la-Kâli (patron saint of the Romani people), fascinated me. So the song emerged. The first half of the chorus is in French, the second a rough translation in English. The tune is a traditional Breton fiddle tune for a Breton an dro – “the turn,” a circle dance. Seemed appropriate!

lyrics

Les Trois Maries – The Three Marys lyrics ©2022 Heather L. Preston (tune: trad. Breton an dro – “the turn,” a circle dance – fiddle tune)

CH: Les trois Maries sont arrivées
Leurs ministères à continuer
Sur-la mer sauvage loin d'Alexandrie
seize cent milles dans un bateau petit

They arrived, the three Maries,
To bring the world their ministries
In a tiny boat on a savage sea
Two thousand miles from Galilee

Those that ruled and spurned the gift, from Egypt cast the three adrift
Open boat no sail, no oar, but Magdala is rich in fishing lore
Magdalene wore a cloak and veil, she sewed them up into a sail
Sara dark and desert-wise, caught the rain from the sullen skies

[chorus]

Marie Jacobe with fingers sure turned her hairpin to a fishing lure
Marie Salome pulled threads so fine and helped her mother make a fishing line
So they sailed, comme ḉi comme ḉa, and fetched up at Oppidum-Priscum-Ra
Each went forth to spread the light and shared their lore and blessings bright

[chorus]

So each May the pilgrims bring the Three Maries to the sea and sing
Sara-la-Kâli joins them there, in a town now called Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Thus our hearts though castaway may reach a kindlier shore one day
With love our sail and hope our boat, may sweet faith keep us all afloat!

[chorus]

credits

released September 11, 2022

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BarbaryAnne Portland, Oregon

Raised on science and science fiction in New York to a theatrical family, "Barbary Anne" has lived under sail with her husband and son, but is currently ashore. She loves many kinds of vocal music, but generally anything with great harmonies makes her happy. So sea shanties, Irish Traditional music, Renaissance festival fare, filk (SF-based) and folk are all fair game! ... more

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