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Mary, Did You Know?
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Wikipedia article
"'Mary, Did You Know?'" is a Christmas song addressing Mary, mother of Jesus, with lyrics written by Mark Lowry in 1984, and music written by Buddy Greene in 1991. It was originally recorded by Christian recording artist Michael English on his self-titled debut solo album in 1991. At the time, English and Lowry were members of the Gaither Vocal Band, and Greene was touring with them. The song reached Number 6 on CCM Magazine's Adult Contemporary Chart. Lowry would record the song several times himself, most notably with the Gaither Vocal Band on their 1998 Christmas album, 'Still the Greatest Story Ever Told'.
The song has since gone on to become a modern Christmas classic, recorded by hundreds of artists over the years, across multiple genres. Several recordings have reached the top ten in the 'Billboard' R&B and Holiday charts. The song encourages contemplation of the relationship between Mary and her son, although some religious commentators have criticized the lyrics for downplaying Mary's own grace and understanding.
Music and lyrics
"Mary, Did You Know?" was originally released in the key of E minor, with a tempo of 53 beats per minute in meter, based around a chord progression of EmDAm7B7sus4B7. The lyrics evolved from a series of questions that Lowry scripted for a Christmas program at his church:
None of the questions are answered in the song. Instead, the lyrics poetically invite the listener to contemplate the relationship between Mary and her newborn divine son, even if her faith and awareness did not yet include the details of what would unfold.
The text has received criticism for perceived ambiguity or lack of scriptural or theological depth. Baptist theologian Michael Frost suggested that it was the "most sexist Christmas song ever written... It treats her like a clueless child... Could you imagine a song asking Abraham 17 times if he knew he'd be the father of a great nation?" Catholic commentators have often questioned a particular line of text ("This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you") that might confuse or challenge the belief that Mary herself was conceived without sin.
In 2017, Toronto-based theologian Jennifer Henry wrote new lyrics that address the criticisms and echo Mary's words from the biblical Magnificat. These new lyrics have begun to spread in religious settings.
Stage musical
The song was used as the basis for a stage musical, written by David Guthrie and Bruce Greer and also titled 'Mary, Did You Know?', which won the 1999 Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Musical of the Year.
Charted cover recordings
Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd (1996)
A duet, recorded by Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers on Rogers' holiday album 'The Gift', peaked at No. 55 on the 'Billboard' Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1997.
'Chart positions'
Clay Aiken (2004)
"'Mary, Did You Know?'" is the fifth single from Clay Aiken's 2004 Christmas album 'Merry Christmas with Love'. Aiken performed the song on 'The Tyra Banks Show'.
'Chart positions'
CeeLo Green (2012)
"'Mary, Did You Know?'" is the eleventh track on CeeLo Green's Christmas album 'Cee Lo's Magic Moment'. On December 15, 2012, the song appeared on the US R&B Songs chart at number 22, and peaked three weeks later at number 9. This version is the slowest of all. A remixed version also served as the closing credits song to the 2014 20th Century Fox movie 'Son of God'.
'Chart positions'
Pentatonix (2014)
{{Infobox song| name = Mary, Did You Know?
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Pentatonix
| album = That's Christmas to Me
| released =
| recorded = 2012
| studio =
| genre = Ambient, a cappella
| length =
| label = RCA
| writer = Mark Lowry, Buddy Greene
| producer =
| misc =
}}
"'Mary, Did You Know?'" is the sixth track on Pentatonix's second Christmas album, 'That's Christmas to Me'. The song both debuted and peaked at No. 26 on the weekly 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 6, 2014.
'Chart positions'
Jordan Smith (2015)
In 2015, Jordan Smith performed the song on 'The Voice's season nine finals. This version debuted and peaked at No. 24 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart and at No. 2 on the 'Billboard' Holiday 100 chart on the week ending January 2, 2016.Zara Larsson (2017)
In 2017, Zara Larsson's cover of the song was included in the soundtrack to the film 'The Star', released on October 27, 2017. The cover went on to peak at number 55 on the Swedish charts during the 2018 holiday period, making another appearance for one week in 2019 at number 87.
Carrie Underwood (2020)
In 2020, Carrie Underwood included the song as the eighth track on her debut Christmas album, 'My Gift'. Underwood's version charted on 'Billboard's Hot Christian Songs, peaking at No. 31. Underwood performed the song on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.Dolly Parton (2020)
In 2020, Dolly Parton covered the song on her album 'A Holly Dolly Christmas'. It was released as the first single from the album on August 21, 2020. Parton performed the song for the first time during a livestream event on Amazon Music on November 13, 2020. She also performed the song during NBC's annual 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center' tree-lighting ceremony on December 2 and again during her CBS special 'A Holly Dolly Christmas' on December 6. Parton's version of the song peaked at number 49 on the 'Billboard' Hot Christian Songs chart and number 18 on the 'Billboard' Christian Digital Song Sales chart.
'Chart positions'
References
Category:1991 songs
Category:American Christmas songs
Category:Marian hymns
Category:Kenny Rogers songs
Category:Wynonna Judd songs
Category:Glen Campbell songs
Category:Malefemale vocal duets
Category:Clay Aiken songs
Category:Pentatonix songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Walter Afanasieff
Category:Song recordings produced by Brent Maher
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Songs about Jesus
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