harlan howard
The legendary songwriter Harlan Howard contributed more to the commercial part of country and folk music than the more narrow genre "Cowboy Music", but this song became classic. Maybe because the polished artist Jim Reeves (no offence!) recorded it first (October 4, 1960 and released February 1961).
Among numerous of cuts I've heard, I prefer Tex Ritter's rusty, narrative voice. Recite the 2 last verses, have Mary Ann's hot biscuits in your mind ... and give it a "clippety-clop" 4/4 rhythm, of course.
I've always had a thing about "cowboy songs", but I had to grow old to admit it. Still; you'll never see me walking in leather boots wearing a Stetson hat. That's where the line is drawn.
there's a blizzard comin' on and I'm wishin' I was home
for my pony's lame and he can't hardly stand
Lord my hands feel like they're froze and there's a numbness in my toes
but it's only seven miles to Mary Anne
it's only seven miles to Mary Anne
you can bet we're on her mind for it's nearly suppertime
and I bet that there's hot biscuits in the pan
listen to that northern sigh • if we don't get home we'll die
but it's only five more miles to Mary Anne
it's only five more miles to Mary Anne
that wind's howlin' and it seems mighty like a woman's screams
and we'd best be movin' faster if we can
Dan just think about that barn with that hay so soft and warm
it's only three more miles to Mary Anne
it's only three more miles to Mary Anne
Dan get up your ornery cuss or you'll be the death of us
I'm so weary but I'll help you if I can
all right Dan • perhaps it's best we'll just stop awhile and rest
it's still another mile to Mary Anne
it's still another mile to Mary Anne
late that night the storm was gone and they found him there at dawn
he'd have made it but he just couldn't leave ol' Dan
yes they found him out there on the plains • his hands froze to the reins
he was just a hundred yards from Mary Anne
he was just a hundred yards from Mary Anne
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G G7 C G there's a blizzard comin' on and I'm wishin' I was home G Em D7 for my pony's lame and he can't hardly stand G G7 C G Lord my hands feel like they're froze and there's a numbness in my toes Am Am7 Cmaj(Em) but it's only seven miles to Mary Anne Am D7 G it's only seven miles to Mary Anne
