Mary Danced With Soldiers

She'd slip away each day with the dimming light And with the sweetest smile she'd kiss the child goodnight At the mill she'd work her fingers till they were raw For the sake of her son and the daddy he never saw Mary danced with soldiers She stepped a light quadrille Shawl across her shoulders To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill It was a rebel boy who brought her joy they say Though the years had passed the memories stood fast each day Before a bullet crushed the life of their romance He gave her a shawl and a parasol from France Mary danced with soldiers She stepped a light quadrille Shawl across her shoulders To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill They came around to the tavern in town that night And with silent cries Mary never tried to fight They cut her hair and left her body torn Her spirit slipped away before the dawn Mary danced with soldiers But now her body's still Shawl across her shoulders To keep away the chill Mary danced with soldiers She stepped a light quadrille Shawl across her shoulders To keep away the chill, to keep away the chill --- Mary Danced With Soldiers - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band