Mmm, yeah, oh
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God
Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am
Oh Mary did you know?
Ooh, Mary did you know?
Mmm, Mary did you know?
Mary, Did You Know?
Mary, Did You Know? Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Carrie Underwood's rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?", released on September 25, 2020, offers a compelling meditation on the most pivotal moment in human history – the Incarnation. The song, penned by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, poses a series of profound questions directly to Mary, the mother of Jesus, probing the extent of her awareness regarding her son's divine identity and future role. It asks if she knew her baby boy would one day walk on water, save sons and daughters, give sight to the blind, and heal the lame. While the song’s premise is to evoke wonder and perhaps suggest a degree of veiled knowledge, the true power lies in how it encourages us to reflect on the stupendous reality of God becoming a human baby, and what the Scriptures actually tell us Mary understood.
Biblically, Mary was given extraordinary revelation from the outset. The angel Gabriel told her explicitly that her son would be called "the Son of the Most High," that the Lord God would give Him the throne of His father David, and that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, with His kingdom having no end (Luke 1:32-33). This wasn't just a promise of earthly greatness, but a clear indicator of His divine nature and messianic purpose, a concept Mary, steeped in Jewish tradition, would have grasped to some degree. Furthermore, her cousin Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, greeted Mary with the words, "And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43). Elizabeth recognized Mary's child as "my Lord," a title signifying divine authority. Mary's own response, known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), is a beautiful hymn of praise revealing her deep faith and understanding that God was doing something monumental, fulfilling His promises through her child.
The narrative continues to reveal further layers of understanding given to Mary and Joseph. The shepherds recounted the angelic announcement of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11), and Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Later, at Jesus' presentation in the temple, the aged Simeon, guided by the Spirit, took the baby and prophesied that He was God's salvation, a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel (Luke 2:29-32). Simeon also foresaw that Jesus was appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel and would be a sign spoken against, and critically, that a sword would pierce Mary's own soul too (Luke 2:34-35) – a chilling prophecy hinting at the suffering Christ and His mother would endure. The prophetess Anna also spoke about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). At twelve years old, when Jesus was found in the temple discussing Scripture, He told His parents, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). Again, Mary kept all these things in her heart, even if the full implications were not yet clear (Luke 2:51).
Carrie Underwood’s performance beautifully captures the blend of maternal tenderness and awe that the song evokes. Her voice navigates the interrogative melody with a sensitivity that prompts reflection in those hearing the song. It’s a powerful reminder that while Mary was given incredible glimpses into her son's identity and mission through divine revelation and prophecy, the day-to-day reality of raising the Son of God must have been filled with unfathomable mystery. The song doesn't necessarily contradict Scripture but rather uses the rhetorical question to underscore the sheer magnitude of the Incarnation. It compels us to consider what it must have been like for this young woman to hold the One who created the stars, to nurture the One who would one day heal the world, to be the mother of God Himself. It draws us into the wonder, encouraging us to contemplate the glorious paradox of the divine child and the human mother, leading us back to the biblical narrative with renewed appreciation for the journey of faith Mary walked and the incredible salvation story that unfolded through her willing heart.
