From the recording Timber And Stream
© Sean McCarthy
Sonya Baughman: vocals, percussion
Mark Clavey: vocals, guitar
Mary Hanover: lead vocals, hammered dulcimer
There are lots of seemingly-commonplace songs that we do simply because they're fun to perform and fun to listen to… no great ambitions, no burning desires for them to end up on a recording. But occasionally, one of these songs will take on a life of its own, and step up and demand recognition. "Step It Out, Mary" has been just such a song for us. Our decision to arrange it was more impulsive than intentional. But as the arrangement grew, it pretty much staked its claim as one of the pieces that would engender a stronger response from our audiences.
Lyrics
In the village of Kilgory there's a maiden young and fair, her eyes they shine like diamonds, she has long and golden hair. But the countryman comes riding, he rides up to her father's gates - riding on a milk-white stallion, he comes at the strike of eight.
"Step it out, Mary, my fine daughter, step it out, Mary, if you can. Step it out, Mary, my fine daughter, show your legs to the countryman."
"I have come to court your daughter, Mary of the golden hair. I have gold and I have silver, I have goods beyond compare. I will buy her silks and satin and a gold ring for her hand, I will buy for her a mansion, she'll have servants to command."
"Step it out, Mary, &c"
"I don't want your gold and silver, I don't want your house and land. I am going with a soldier, I have promised him my hand." But the father spoke up sharply, "You will do as you are told. You'll get married on this Sunday and you'll wear that ring of gold."
"Step it out, Mary, &c"
In the village of Kilgory there's a deep stream flowing by. On her marriage day at midnight she drowned with her soldier boy. In the cottage there is music, you can hear her father say, "Step it out, Mary, my fine daughter, Sunday is your wedding day."
"Step it out, Mary, &c"