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I've been trying to learn this song on the ukulele. Just cannot get through it without choking up. 5 years later and things are looking dark.

4:05 “Thunderbolts Goodnight” What a beautiful song!

The album recording is great, but there's just something about this little Sessions version. Gets me every time. Luvya, Josh. Keep on keepin' on. xo

Josh Ritter's - phrasing and lyrics - all great. I love listening to him.

Now i want one of his artworks... I'm late to the game. Glad i found Josh though. How good.

What an amazing song! Simple and elegant!

ггуд

Words cannot express how much I love this song

He opens his eyes, falls in love at first sight With the girl in the doorway What beautiful lines, how full of life After thousands of years what a face to wake up to He holds back a sigh as she touches his arm She dusts off the bed where till now he's been sleeping Under miles of stone, the dried fig of his heart Under scarab and bone starts back to its beating She carries him home in a beautiful boat He watches the sea from a porthole in stowage He can hear all she says as she sits by his bed Then one day his lips answer her in her own language The days quickly pass, he loves making her laugh The first time he moves it's her hair that he touches She asks "Are you cursed?" He says "I think that I'm cured" Then he talks of the Nile and the girls in bull rushes In New York he is laid in a glass-covered case He pretends he is dead, people crowd round to see him But each night she comes round, and the two wander down The halls of the tomb that she calls a museum Often he stops to rest, but then less and less Then it's her that looks tired, staying up asking questions He learns how to read from the papers that she Is writing about him and he makes corrections It's his face on her book and more and more come to look Families from Iowa, upper West-siders Then one day it's too much, he decides to get up And as chaos ensues, he walks outside to find her She's using a cane, and her face looks too pale But she's happy to see him, as they walk he supports her She asks "Are you cursed?" but his answer's obscured In a sandstorm of flashbulbs and rowdy reporters Such reanimation, the two tour the nation He gets out of limos, he meets other women He speaks of her fondly, their nights in the museum But she's just one more rag now he's dragging behind him She stops going out, she just lies there in bed In hotels in whatever towns they are speaking Then her face starts to set and her hands start to fold And one day the dry fig of her heart stops its beating Long ago on the ship, she asked "Why pyramids?" He said "Think of them as an immense invitation" She asks "Are you cursed?" He says "I think that I'm cured" Then he kissed her and hoped that she'd forget that question

Nope

Yes, I remember when MGMT made this song

Beautiful!

Had no idea that was Isbell on the slide!

This cover isn't good enough for me.

This song hits the right spot in my heart!

Billions season 7 finale.Full circle moment

just heard this on "guest book" and holy hell (no pun intended) this blew my mind

The best, be happy.❤

right up there with paul simon, john prine, townes and so many others as a songwriter, a dynamic performer as well, a positive feeling always, give sme hope that all 'modern day' artists arent just out for fame n fortune with dancing skills & a wacky 'look'...

My English teacher showed us this today. He’s right, the symbolism in Josh Ritter’s music is absolutely phenomenal.

Thank God I'll get to play this on a college radio. Looking for a mummy themed song brought me here. Simply beautiful and odd this song is.

Even when he's hurting, Josh Ritter seems to have so much love for humanity.

I've seen you perform three times now. And every time I marvel at how happy you appear to be onstage.

I heard this song in my school’s performance today

Billions just got me here! Had to pause and search for the song!!!

Every song on this album is great! One of my favorite of your albums along with Hello Starling and Sermon on the Rocks!

I remember the first time I heard The Gospel of Mary. I had listened to Fever Breaks before going to see Josh Ritter in concert at Portland, OR's Crystal Ballroom (if I'm not mistaken). It had been lively with a full band up to this point, but the lights dimmed and he sat alone with his guitar. At first, I tried figuring out what song he was playing, but this one wasn't on the album. A dread and sadness and pain came over me as I realized what the song was about. Recent events included trump's wall, families getting separated at the Mexican border, and children getting put in cages. My impression of Josh Ritter--or maybe he had said this in concert or an interview--is that he seldom gets political with his music (the other notable songs being from Animal Years as inspired by the Gulf War), but current events had forced him to raise his voice. After he finished playing, the audience was silent for what felt like minutes. How do you respond to an aching protest from the heart? I don't remember if we applaudsd or not, but I remained shaken into the next song at least and probably longer. After that, it took me a few months to work up the courage to search for The Gospel of Mary and listen again. It reliably brings me to tears. This is one such song that I don't let myself listen to too much because I never want to become desensitized to it. Truly one of the greatest protest songs I've ever heard, right up there with Bob Dylan's Masters of War.

This song is really good at bringing me to tears. So powerful and relevant. Thank you, Josh Ritter, for fighting for justice and kindness. 💟

This song never gets old.

I was raised attending a small southern pentacostal church. I remember hearing them sing that there is power in the blood of the lamb. I also remember hearing that Jesus would one day change me and I'd know it when he did. I just had to love and I would be saved. I still don't think that they were liars but I do think that they were different from me.

So many good memories of listening to you, Josh. My two girls and I, road trips to the mountains, and attending many of your concerts in Minnesota. We even bought you dinner once without you knowing it and then you found out and came over to say thanks. We got a nice photo of us with you that they put in the Minneapolis paper the next morning. We love you, Josh. Keep writing and keep singing.

Billions❤ crazy that yall watched this 6 years ago

Songs for your soul!

Yo wtf! I absolutely love love love this song! Amazingly beautiful.....❤

Can’t understand a word he’s saying but I don’t care,

So excited to see you again! Best singer-songwriter of my generation

Great, but with Suzanne was a little better 😊

There are 4 instruments that help make me move my old body to this beautiful song. The magical drums, the incredible piano, what I assume is a Guiro played by an angel, and the majestic rapping of brother Josh. Thanks to the entire group of musicians,singers, writers, and sound engineers for making my azz one happy mofo when I play this loud.

❤

I’ve loved Josh Ritter since I stumbled on him years ago. He’s an original.

Happiest man I’ve ever seen irl