Mary, Did You Know?

The song imagines someone asking Mary whether she understands the extraordinary future of the baby she is holding. Its emotion moves between the tenderness of an ordinary parent caring for a child and awe at the child’s healing and divine power. The repeated question creates a sense of wonder, but it does not give a clear answer about what Mary knew.

Several images connect the small, vulnerable baby with immense power: he will “walk on water,” calm storms, and heal people who cannot see or hear. The phrase “this child … will soon deliver you” carries two meanings: he is being born, yet he will also bring salvation. Likewise, kissing the baby is described as kissing “the face of God,” making a loving parental gesture feel sacred.

The lyrics present Christian beliefs about Jesus through images such as the “Lamb” and “the great, I Am.” For listeners unfamiliar with these expressions, they suggest a figure associated with sacrifice and divine identity. The song may be heard as a celebration of faith, or as a reflection on how a parent might not recognize the full significance of a child’s life. It leaves that uncertainty open rather than stating what Mary actually understood.