[Intro – gritty bass riff, dry snare, playful female alto] Mary, Mary Quite contrary Oh, what a lovely girl [Verse 1 – conversational, swinging] Sunday dress, a little lace Butter wouldn’t melt, that face Pours the tea, says please and thanks Keeps her secrets in the plants Neighbours wave, she waves right back Pretty roses, painted gate Never one to make a fuss Never one to say too much [Pre-Chorus – drums pull back] Such a darling Such a dear Funny how things disappear [Chorus – strong melodic lift, punchy backbeat] Mary, Mary, quite contrary Sweet as sin and twice as scary Silver bells and secrets buried How does your garden grow? Oh, Mary, Mary Heaven knows What’s beneath those pretty roses Everybody loves the show Nobody wants to know [Verse 2 – bass-driven, sly delivery] Fresh-cut flowers on the sill House so quiet, always still Says she’s never been in love Says a lot of things, my love White gloves, polished shoes Never gives away a clue Ask her where the roses went She just smiles, “They’re heaven-sent” [Pre-Chorus] Such a darling Such a dear Funny how things disappear [Chorus] Mary, Mary, quite contrary Sweet as sin and twice as scary Silver bells and secrets buried How does your garden grow? Oh, Mary, Mary Heaven knows What’s beneath those pretty roses Everybody loves the show Nobody wants to know [Bridge – stripped bass, handclaps, dry vocal] Butter wouldn’t melt Not a hair out of place But there’s something In that pretty little face One more shovel One more rose What she’s hiding Heaven knows [Final Chorus – full band, gritty female harmonies] Mary, Mary, quite contrary Sweet as sin and twice as scary Silver bells and secrets buried How does your garden grow? Oh, Mary, Mary Heaven knows What’s beneath those pretty roses Everybody loves the show Nobody wants to know [Outro – band stops, spoken-sung] Mary, Mary… Such a lovely girl.
