There's a rise above the river Where the hangman's tree hugs the rim A brace of crows crowd the bank Like mourners on their way to the Mercy bridge A whistle blows and a freight rolls by Pallbearers rest their load It all seems clear, life's gone from here As he is lowered in the hole Oh Mary, can't you see It was not meant to be? He was born to dangle Beneath the hanging tree Mary seems uncertain now As she follows him to his rest She lost her one true love and he lost her Straight bullet to the chest Life of crime is a long-short road Every moment filled with dread And never leaves much room for love In the shadows of its dead Oh Mary, can't you see It was not meant to be? He was born to dangle Beneath the hanging tree Mary climbs the Mercy bridge Over the waters dark and cold She'll wash away all her tears In the waters healing flow Oh Mary, can't you see It was not meant to be? He was born to dangle Beneath the hanging tree Oh Mary, can't you see It was not meant to be? He was born to dangle Beneath the hanging tree Oh Mary, can't you see It was not meant to be? He was born to dangle Beneath the hanging tree