I Did What I Did for Maria Lyrics by Tony Christie
(to watch a video of Tony singing it live in 1971, scroll down)
Sun rise this is the last day
that I’ll ever see
out in the court-yard
they’re ready for me
but I go to my Lord without fear
‘cos I did what I did for Maria.
As I rode into town
with the sun going down
all the windows were barred
there was noone around
for they knew that I’d come
with my hand on my gun
and revenge in my heart for Maria
my dearest departed Maria.
Take an eye for an eye
and a life for a life
and somebody must die
for the death of my wife
yes I did what I did for Maria
I did what I did for Maria.
Laughter echoed across for
the end of the street
there was the man
I was burnin’ to meet
and my mind was so calm and so clear.
as I took my revenge for Maria.
And he fell to the ground
raisin’ dust all around
but I knew he was dead
long before he went down
it was quick it was clean
made it easy on him
which is more than he did for Maria.
When he did what he did for Maria.
Interesting Facts About I Did What I Did for Maria Lyrics and Music
I Did What I Did For Maria was a Top 20 hit in 1971 for Tony Christie. It was written and produced by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander, who were also responsible for Christie’s ‘Las Vegas’ and ‘Avenues And Alleyways’. The song is about a widower who, on the eve of his execution, recalls how he avenged his dead wife with no visible remorse, hence the title.
It has a ‘mariachi’ sound, and to modern listeners can sound like Tom Jones-style easy listening until one registers lyrics such as the chorus:
Take an eye for an eye
and a life for a life
and somebody must die
for the death of my wife
Enjoy This Video of I Did What I Did for Maria
