Everybody's Cryin' Mercy
Bonnie Raitt Lyrics


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I don't believe the things I'm seein'
I've been wonderin' 'bout some things I've heard
Everybody's crying mercy
When they don't know the meaning of the word

A bad enough situation
Is sure enough getting worse
Everybody's crying justice
Just as soon as there's business first

Toe to toe, touch and go
Give a cheer and get your own souvenir

Well you know the people running round in circles
Don't know what they're headed for
Everybody's crying peace on earth
Just as soon as we win this war

Straight ahead, gotta knock em dead
So pack your kit, choose your own hypocrite

You don't have to go to off-Broadway
To see something plain absurd
Everybody's crying mercy
When they don't know the meaning of the word





Nobody knows the meaning of the word

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bonnie Raitt's song "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy" reflect on the current state of society and how people are quick to demand things like justice and peace, but may not fully understand the true meaning behind these words. The song reveals the frustration felt when people seem to be just going through the motions without really understanding what they are fighting for.


The line "I don't believe the things I'm seein'" is likely referring to the confusion and disbelief felt when observing the actions of others. Despite the widespread desire for things like mercy, justice, and peace on earth, the lyrics suggest that people may not be fully aware of what they are demanding. This is highlighted in the line "Everybody's crying mercy when they don't know the meaning of the word."


The song also touches on the idea of hypocrisy, with the line "So pack your kit, choose your own hypocrite." The message seems to be that it is easy to talk about wanting things like justice and peace, but much harder to actually live up to these ideals.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't believe the things I'm seein'
I am skeptical of what I am seeing


I've been wonderin' 'bout some things I've heard
Some things I've heard have caused me to question


Everybody's crying mercy
Everyone is seeking mercy


When they don't know the meaning of the word
But they don't truly understand what they're asking for


A bad enough situation
Things are already dire


Is sure enough getting worse
And they are only deteriorating further


Everybody's crying justice
Everyone is calling for justice


Just as soon as there's business first
But only after business concerns are addressed


Toe to toe, touch and go
We're in a precarious situation


Give a cheer and get your own souvenir
And it's not clear what the outcome will be


Well you know the people running round in circles
The people in charge are often disoriented


Don't know what they're headed for
And don't have a clear direction


Everybody's crying peace on earth
Everyone is calling for peace


Just as soon as we win this war
But only after we have won the war


Straight ahead, gotta knock em dead
We need to forge ahead and overcome challenges


So pack your kit, choose your own hypocrite
But we must be prepared to make difficult choices and follow flawed leaders


You don't have to go to off-Broadway
It doesn't take much to see the absurdity around us


To see something plain absurd
Because there is already so much absurdity in our world


Nobody knows the meaning of the word
And ultimately, no one truly understands what any of it means




Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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