George M! - Mary Lyrics

My mother's name was mary, she was so good and true.
Because her name was mary, she called me mary, too.
She wasn't gay or airy, but plain as she could be;
I'd hate to be contrary, and call myself marie.

For it was mary, mary, plain as any name can be;
But with propriety, society will say 'marie'.
But it was mary, mary, long before the fashions came:
And there is something there that sounds so fair,
It's a grand old name!

Now, when her name is mary, there is no falseness there;
When to marie she'll vary, she'll surely bleach her hair.
Though mary's ordinary, marie is fair to see;
Don't ever fear sweet mary, beware of sweet marie!

For it was mary, mary, plain as any name can be;
But with propriety, society will say 'marie'.
But it was mary, mary, long before the fashions came:
And there is something there that sounds so fair,
It's a grand old name!