Lovely Mary Dyer

Lovely Mary Dyer

The lovely Mary Dyer
With her eyes could start a fire.

And lovely lady Dyer
Could have called the law a liar.

Mary with her head held high.
Mary with her head held high.

Never wary, Mary Dyer
Had been condemned once prior
And she knew
What they would do.

Mary with her head held high.
Mary with her head held high.

Ah, the lovely Mary Dyer
Refusing to retire
In protest
She met her rest.

Mary Dyer was hanged on the Boston Common in 1660 after preaching in New England about the equality of women in church and visiting Quakers in prison in Boston. This song is about her courage in the face of death.

Song by The Dimes, 2009
American folk-pop band

Mary Dyer is sometimes called a Quaker saint. Think of someone that you hold in high esteem. What kind of song would you write about them?

How can we prepare the way for powerful ministry?

Share your response!

Banner image: Joey Hartmann-Dow

This week’s messages are guest edited by Ashley M. Wilcox, Quaker minister, best-selling author of The Women’s Lectionary, and founder of Public Friends, a new nonprofit created to support Quaker ministers. Find out more about Ashley.

Author

  • The Dimes

    The Dimes are an American folk-pop band from Portland, Oregon. Band members include: Johnny Clay - Vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin, Rhodes Pierre Kaiser - Electric guitar, tornado noises Kelly Masigat - Vocals, guitars, mandolin Anthony Powell - Guitars, Percussion Tucker Jackson - Pedal Steel Guitar Ryan Johnston - Bass guitar Jake Rahner - Drums

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