Sweet Lady Mary

The speaker describes a relationship with Sweet Lady Mary that has ended. At first, he sounds concerned and admits he did not know how to help or love her. His sadness gradually turns into a decision to leave: he wants to get away, learn from the experience, and begin again. The repeated phrase “steal away” suggests a quiet, perhaps urgent escape rather than a grand farewell.

Several images make the departure feel like a journey. The “dusty old road” and the changing views suggest that moving forward brings new experiences and understanding. “My face did not fit” is an idiom meaning that the speaker no longer felt he belonged in Mary’s life or surroundings. Returning home, where the Gulf Stream waters “ease the pain,” seems to represent seeking comfort and time to heal, not necessarily a literal cure.

The speaker’s feelings are not entirely settled. He says he has learned a lesson and will not come this way again, yet ends by swearing he will return to Mary’s gate after his wound has healed. This could mean he still hopes to see her, or it may express a passing wish rather than a firm plan. The lyrics leave open whether leaving is truly final.