Lyrics

MARY
Gary O’Driscoll © 2026
CHAPEAU ROUGE (SOCAN)

(Verse 1)
The supper bell was ringing,
But no one touched a crumb.
A whisper crossed the dining hall,
“They’ve come for another one.”

The iron gates swung open,
A Bentley rolled inside.
The sisters stood like silent crows,
With secrets they could hide.

A little red kerchief caught the light,
A child so frail and small.
A nun held her in her arms…
No mercy there at all.

[Chorus]
MARY!
They’ve stolen my baby tonight!
Mary!
Vanished into the dark from my sight!
Mary!
Don’t let them carry you far!
Mary!
I’ll find you wherever you are!

They can lock these walls…
They can silence my cry…
But a mother’s love
Will never, never die!

(Verse 2)
I ran with bleeding fingers,
The starch still on my hands.
I pushed against those prison doors,
They would not hear my demands.

The Bentley lights grew smaller,
Then disappeared from view.
The iron gates were bolted shut…
What was I supposed to do?

Maggie Mae smiled at me,
Cold as a stepmother's kiss.
An envelope of American bills
Could never match her bliss.

[Chorus]
MARY!
They’ve stolen my baby tonight!
Mary!
Taken away without right!
Mary!
Can you still hear my voice?
Mary!
You never had any choice!

They’ve stolen your name…
They’ve stolen your past…
But a mother’s love
Will always last!

[Bridge]
One day these walls will crumble…
One day these lies will fall…
One day the names they’ve buried
Will be written on the wall.

No money buys forgiveness.
No habit hides this sin.
The truth is like a rising tide—
And truth will always win!

(Verse 3)
I screamed until my voice was dust,
Until the heavens shook.
The angels must have turned away,
They never dared to look.

If God is in this convent,
Then tell me where He’s gone.
How can Heaven bless this evil,
While innocent hearts are torn?

Remember me, my little girl,
If memories remain.
One day you’ll know I never left…
They tore us apart with pain.

[Final Chorus] (Key Change)

MARY!
You’ve stolen my whole world away!
Mary!
You’ll never erase this day!
Mary!
Wherever your footsteps roam…
Mary!
Your mother’s heart is your home!

MARY!
Can you hear me calling?
MARY!
Please don’t forget my name!

You stole my child…
But you’ll never steal…
A mother’s love…
Or break…
My soul…

MARY!!
MARY!!
MARY!!!