Martha Divine

Album: Never Will (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Ashley McBryde sings about a young girl whose father is cheating with the titular Martha Divine. This does not sit well with her, so the bible-toting daughter warns her dad's lover she is coming after her.
  • We are unsure whether Martha meets her maker until the end of the song when McBryde sings:

    Martha Divine, Martha Divine
    You put your hands on the wrong damn man this time
    Martha Divine, your ass is mine
    And it ain't murder if I bury you alive


    Asked by American Songwriter why she saved the dirty deed for the very last moment, McBride replied: "I think it makes that character feel better. If I were interrogated after doing that, I could say, 'Officer, the last time I saw her, she was still breathing.' And she's not lying - lying being a sin, of course. [laughs]"
  • Ashley McBryde wrote the peppy, rocking track with frequent Eric Church collaborator Jeremy Spillman in the dimly lit basement of an old church. The location gave McBryde the idea to write a dark murder song, which led Spellman to tell her about an urban legend from his home state of Kentucky: the Martha Divine swimming hole. They didn't use the actual story, but McBryde loved the way 'Martha Divine' sounded and they decided to come up with a tale from the perspective of the cheater's daughter.
  • The song's music video is the second of a trilogy, which begins with "One Night Standards" and ends with "Hang in There Girl." The storyline of the three clips, all directed by Reid Long, centers on a one-night stand gone awry. The main character is a female vigilante seeking revenge on her father's mistress, and this visual finds McBryde as an accomplice to a motel room murder.

Comments: 2

  • Logical Thinker from TexasIf your father cheated on your mother, why would you murder the mistress? If you wanna murder someone, murder your sinful, cheating father. Makes no sense.
  • Martha Divine from TennesseeI crawled my way out of that grave and now I'm coming for you! Better watch your back!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.