1. If you ain't got two kids by 21
You're probably gonna die alone
Least that's what tradition told you
And it don't matter if you don't believe
Come Sunday morning, you best be there in the front row like you're supposed to.

Same hurt in every heart
Same trailer, different park.

[Chorus:]
Mama's hooked on Mary Kay
Brother's hooked on Mary Jane
Daddy's hooked on Mary two doors down.

Mary, Mary quite contrary
We get bored, so, we get married
Just like dust, we settle in this town.

On this broken merry go 'round and 'round and 'round we go
Where it stops nobody knows and it ain't slowin' down.
This merry go 'round.

2. We think the first time's good enough
So, we hold on to high school love
Sayin' we won't end up like our parents
Tiny little boxes in a row.

Ain't what you want, it's what you know
Just happy in the shoes you're wearin'
Same checks we're always cashin' to buy a little more distraction.

[Chorus]

[Coda:]
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We're so bored until we're buried
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go 'round
Merry go 'round.

Jack and Jill went up the hill
Jack burned out on booze and pills
And Mary had a little lamb
Mary just don't give a damn no more.