“Benedict and Maria”

My good friend and third cousin, Francis Andrew Martin, was moved to write a song after reading through my account of our Mennonite ancestors and relatives. I am gratified and flattered that my work here has helped inspire him in his own form of artistry.

Francis has given me permission to share his song, “Benedict and Maria,” on my blog. Just click the following image to open the video (sorry, I don’t seem to be able to embed it right on this page). Please come back here to let Francis and me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Benedict and Maria

Here are the lyrics:

Benedict and Maria

Benedict and Maria…
walked into marriage heaven in 1537
And so their family tree,
Sprouted Bennies 1, 2, 3
Then Christian Andrew Martin,
from whom my name was gotten.….
Now here I am.

Christian preached to the people…
Who chose the Menno faith
which knocked them out of place
With the Catholics and the rest
Who tried their level best
but in the end would fail
To kill or throw in jail.....
So here I am.

I’ve got Mennonite blood - like a river in my veins,
The peace, the love, the pain - over centuries remain.
In stories that were told – by the many I can’t name,
These are my kin. These are my kin.

Christian locked in a castle
To face his somber fate,
But he managed to escape.
Then with children and his wife
Saw hope for a new life,
Set sail towards the west
To find freedom, peace, and rest
Now here I am….

Pennsylvania meant freedom…
Worked their fingers to the bones
Tilled the land - built their homes
Grew like cornstalks on the land
Put down roots and made their stand
Worshipped simply, simply lived
Struggling to forgive
Now here I am….

I’ve got Mennonite blood - like a river in my veins,
The peace, the love, the pain - over centuries remain.
In stories that were told - by the many I can’t name,
These are my kin. These are my kin.

Time passes slowly…
Now it’s 18 and 03,
From the States some chose to leave
To Canada they’d roam
Waterloo County their new home.
Bought land and settled in,
growing crops and raising kin,
Now here I am.

Now I live in the city…
Benedict would not believe
The kind of life I lead,
Internet and smartphone
His mind completely blown,
But I still do embrace
These my people, this my place.
So here I am….

I’ve got Mennonite blood - like a river in my veins,
The peace, the love, the pain - over centuries remain.
In stories that were told - by so many I can’t name,
These are my kin. These are my kin.
 
                                     ~ Francis Martin, September 2020