Born Graham Barnes in Nottingham England, Alvin Lee took up guitar at the age of thirteen. By the age of fifteen he had formed the group Jaybirds. Following in the footsteps of earlier beat groups such as the Beatles, the Jaybirds played the clubs in Hamburg, Germany to great local acclaim. On returning to London in 1966, the group changed its name to Ten Years After.
Ten Years After scored hits with many albums and became a popular touring band. The band gained note in America after their appearance at Woodstock in 1969.
Lee's guitar work on ‘I’m Going Home’ on the 'Woodstock' album and film remains a standard for many rock guitarists to emulate.
Ten Years After played a mix of rock and blues tinged with jazz. In 1973, Lee left Ten Years After to pursue a solo career.
His first work was a collaborative effort with American gospel singer Mylon LeFevre on an album entitled On The Road To Freedom; other artists on the album included George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood and Steve Winwood. A year later he formed the band Alvin Lee & Company and released a double live album recorded at the Rainbow in London, In Flight.
Lee continued to record albums and play live until his death in 2013, thrilling audiences with his guitar virtuoso and nimble fingered fret work.
Having recorded over twenty albums, some of the key solo works Alvin Lee has recorded are:
1973 On The Road To Feedom
1974 In Flight
1975 Pump Iron
1976 Let it Rock
1978 Rocket Fuel
1979 Ride On
1980 Freefall
1981 RX5
1986 Detroit Diesel
1992 Zoom
1994 I Hear You Rockin
1996 Live In Vienna
2004 In Tennessee
2007 Saguitar
2012 Still On The Road To freedom
Official Website: Alvin Lee
You can also see Alvin Lee & Ten Years After and / or Alvin Lee & Co and / or Ten Years After and or Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later and / or The Alvin Lee Band on Last.fm.
Have Mercy
Alvin Lee Lyrics
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Have mercy on this soul of mine, oh yeah - searchin' to find you
I keep on lookin', for the right road
Cause nothin' seems to show the way
So many roads, have mercy on this soul of mine - oh yeah
Searchin' to find you
Have mercy on this soul of mine, oh yeah - searchin' to find you
I keep on pushin', down the highway - yeah
I go to where I've been before - still looks the same
Have mercy on a child of God, oh yeah - searchin' to find you.
The lyrics of Alvin Lee's song "Have Mercy" are about a person who is searching for a higher power or a meaning in life. The repetition of the phrase "Have mercy on a child of God, oh yeah - searchin' to find you" highlights the singer's desperation as he seeks guidance. The lines "I keep on lookin', for the right road, 'cause nothing seems to show the way" reveals his confusion and frustration as he tries to navigate his way through life. The singer feels lost and in need of help as he faces the many roads that are before him.
The verse, "I keep on pushin', down the highway - yeah, I go to where I've been before - still looks the same" reveals the singer's feeling of being stuck in a rut. He goes through the motions of life, feeling like he's not getting anywhere. However, he is still determined to continue his search, thus prompting him to request a mercy plea.
Line by Line Meaning
Have mercy on a child of God, oh yeah - searchin' to find you
As a devout believer, I am pleading for compassion and forgiveness from God. I am searching tirelessly to find you amidst all of my struggles.
Have mercy on this soul of mine, oh yeah - searchin' to find you
I am deeply yearning for mercy to be shown to my soul. My search for you, God, continues with every breath I take.
I keep on lookin', for the right road
I have been searching relentlessly for a path that will lead me in the right direction.
Cause nothin' seems to show the way
Despite my efforts, I am yet to discern which way to go. Everything seems to be leading to a dead end.
So many roads, have mercy on this soul of mine - oh yeah
I've taken many different paths in life, yet they all appear to be leading nowhere. My soul is in need of mercy and guidance from you, God.
I keep on pushin', down the highway - yeah
I keep moving forward, navigating my way through life's ongoing challenges, trying to find the right path.
I go to where I've been before - still looks the same
Despite traveling down familiar paths, nothing seems to have changed, and my search for guidance continues.
Have mercy on a child of God, oh yeah - searchin' to find you.
This chorus serves as a plea from a person of faith for compassion, guidance, and mercy from God while desperately searching for a way out of their struggles.
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.