This song “Mary Don’t You Weep” was sent by my friend Sheila Baldwin who I met while I worked at Columbia College. She was another black sista professor on campus and we had a great connection. Not all skin folk are kin folk, but Sheila was a good sista to me. This song is a perfect reflection of sisterhood.
The story of Mary and Martha is a story of two sisters, both grieving for their brother who has just passed, and both dealing with it in their own way. They had prayed and hoped that Jesus would save him. It looked as if their prayers were not answered and they sunk into grief and depression. I’ve been there. Losing a beloved brother is a terrible experience. I cried and cried when I lost my brother. But this song reminds us that we should wipe our tears, that God comes through even in the deepest depression. Aretha brings this song with conviction and passion. The lyrics remind us of God’s victories, such as the saving of the Israelites when they were fleeing pharaoh. Everything looked hopeless because a whole army, armed and powerful were in hot pursuit. God came through using the Red Sea. Mary don’t you weep. It will be alright. And sometimes we need a reminder of that truth from a friend or a sister.
John 11:28. She went secretly to her sister Mary, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling you.”
Gospel from Friends 