Lyrics
I hear the sound
I perceive the noise
Of distant drums
Coming from far-off drums
Far away
At a great distance
Far away
Far away from here
And if they call
If those drums summon
For me to come
For me to join
Then I must go
Then I am obligated to leave
And you must stay
And you are required to remain
So Mary, marry me
Addressing Mary, proposing marriage
Let's not wait
Suggesting not to delay
Let's share all the time we can before it's too late
Advocating spending all available time together before it's too late
Love me now, for now is all the time there may be
Emphasizing the importance of loving now, as time is limited
If you love me Mary
If you love me, Mary
Mary marry me
Reiterating the proposal to marry Mary
I hear the sound
Repetition of hearing a distant sound
Of bugles blow
Now referring to bugles playing
Far away
Similar to line 3, indicating a far distance
Far away
Again, far away from the current location
And if they call
If those bugles call
Then I must go
I am compelled to go
Across the sea, so wild and grey
Describing a journey across a tumultuous and gray sea
So Mary, marry me
Repeating the proposal to Mary
Let's not wait
Reiterating the urgency, not to delay
For the distant drums might change our wedding day
Warning that distant circumstances might alter plans
And love me now, for now is all the time there may be
Repeating the importance of loving in the present moment
If you love me Mary
If you love me, Mary
Mary marry me
Reiteration of the proposal to marry Mary
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