Have Mercy
Loretta Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm down upon my knees
Have mercy on me baby
I'll do just as you please
Well you know that I love you
I'll put no one else above you
Have mercy on me baby, have mercy
Have mercy on me baby
Please have a little heart
Have mercy on me baby
You're tearing me apart
The way that you do me
You know you done got to me
Have mercy on me baby, have mercy
She's got you hypnotized
And your brain is paralyzed
You know she's only playing with you
Like a puppet on a string
Remember just one thing
She can't love you like I do, no
Have mercy on me baby
Please give this heart a break
Have mercy on me baby
I'll do just what it takes
You know you won't regret it
So hey there now I said it
Have mercy on me baby, have mercy
Have mercy
Have mercy on me baby
Have mercy on me baby
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on me baby
Please have mercy on me
In Loretta Lynn's song "Have Mercy," the singer is begging their lover to have mercy on them and not to leave. The singer is down on their knees, pleading with their lover to give their heart a break. They are desperate for their lover to give them a chance and they say they will do just as their lover pleases because they love them so much. The singer is confessing their love for their lover, saying that they will not put anyone else above them.
However, there is a twist in the song. The third verse addresses someone else who is hypnotizing the singer's lover and playing with them like a puppet on a string. The singer pleads with their lover to remember that this person cannot love them like the singer can. The song is really about two people who love each other, but there are outside influences that are trying to keep them apart. The singer is asking for mercy and forgiveness from their lover because they know that they are the one who truly loves them.
Line by Line Meaning
Have mercy on me baby
I am pleading with you to be kind to me
I'm down upon my knees
I am in a state of desperation, begging for your mercy
I'll do just as you please
I am willing to do anything to appease you
Well you know that I love you
My love for you is unconditional and unwavering
I'll put no one else above you
You are the most important person in my life
Please have a little heart
I am asking you to show some empathy and compassion
You're tearing me apart
Your actions are causing me great emotional pain
The way that you do me
Your treatment of me is so hurtful
You know you done got to me
You have affected me deeply
She's got you hypnotized
You have been completely drawn in and influenced by her
And your brain is paralyzed
You are unable to make rational decisions because of her hold on you
You know she's only playing with you
She is not sincere in her feelings for you and is using you for her own benefit
Like a puppet on a string
You are being controlled and manipulated by her
Remember just one thing
I want to remind you of an important fact
She can't love you like I do, no
My love for you is deeper and more genuine than hers
Please give this heart a break
I am asking you to stop hurting me emotionally
You know you won't regret it
If you show me mercy, you will not be disappointed
So hey there now I said it
I am making my plea to you with honesty and sincerity
Please have mercy on me
I am pleading with you to show me kindness and compassion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUCK RAM, CHICK WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Beach
Damn good rock-n-roll for a country grandmother. The entire album works. True collaboration between two musically creative people.
Miss Holley King
Loretta Lynn... The Most Awarded Lady In Country Music History.
Thank you for sharing your talents and wonderful music with all of us over the years ❤
R.I.P.
Mike Rundberg
ONE of my favorite songs, not only can she sing, she wrote every song on this album
MsJourneyfan
+Mike Rundberg Yep, and she wrote Portland, Oregon decades ago. Why she never recorded & released that one before is beyond me. That's an amazing song! This whole album is fantastic!
dierdriu
I love that Jack White really worked with Loretta, not just to showcase his own stardom. This album was phenomenal, and the music and production complemented Loretta's songwriting and voice so well.
Gail Carter
Loretta Lynn wrote this for all the women that lived the same life within a lifetime, same as she did. She broke the barrier. CMT and Country radio should be ashamed of themselves for never playing any of these songs. Great album for a simple but dynamic country girl from Kentuk.
David LeJeune
in interviews for the album she said she wrote it for Elvis to sing - and that they were late night phone buddies --- I agree though that she wrote it from her own experience - one that many women can identify with
Dominique Garofalo
I got this album when it came out. It was solid. Very enjoyable. She was an impressive woman. This was one of my favorites.
Errol Alger
Strong voice and deep soul! Now that I've listened to her new release, "Full Circle," a dozen or more times, I'm turned on to Van Lear Rose. Just ordered a copy online from Barnes & Noble.
Sam Eineichner
Chills every time. Perfect song.