Son of the Chicago-based jazz saxophonist Von Freeman, he is a graduate of Northwestern University, with a major in music. A critically acclaimed performer, he is capable of intricate melodies and rhythms. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as part of a movement including Wynton Marsalis of modern players steeped in the traditions of jazz, recording for independent labels like India Navigation and Contemporary Records. A Freeman album will typically contain standards and compositions by modernists like John Coltrane as well as new tunes by Freeman and his contemporaries such as bassist Cecil McBee.
The line-up on his 1981 album Destiny's Dance includes Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Hutcherson, Cecil McBee (these two contributing compositions), with Freeman playing tenor and bass clarinet.
Freeman has toured internationally, both with his band in support of his album Oh By the Way... as well as with Chaka Khan, Tomasz Stanko, Celia Cruz and Tito Puente.
Behind the scenes electronic soundscapist, composer and producer Jan Pulsford met the legendary jazz saxophonist, composer, producer and song writer Chico Freeman whilst beta testing the Rocket Network for Logic Audio. Both ground breakers in their own fields, they are currently writing for a wide range of artists from trip hop to nu-jazz to hiphop to jazz standards alongside their own project ICOJA which mixes jazz and electronica.
Mercy Mercy Me
Chico Freeman Lyrics
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Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Poison is the wind that blows
From the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no, no
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this over crowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Oh mercy, mercy me.
Ah things ain't what they used to be.
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Animals and land how much more abuse from man can she stand?
In Chico Freeman's song "Mercy Mercy Me," the lyrics express a poignant reflection on the degradation of our environment and the consequences of human actions. The repeated plea for mercy highlights the sense of urgency and despair felt by the singer regarding the state of the world. The opening lines, "Woo ah mercy, mercy me, Ah things ain't what they used to be," set the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing a nostalgia for a time when nature was more pristine and untouched by human intervention.
The mention of disappearing blue skies and poisoned wind from various directions paints a vivid picture of environmental pollution and the loss of natural beauty. The reference to oil wasted in the ocean and the contamination of fish with mercury speaks to the destructive impact of industrial activities on marine ecosystems, highlighting the reckless disregard for the consequences of our actions on the planet.
The lyrics also draw attention to the issue of overpopulation and the unsustainable levels of exploitation of the Earth's resources by mankind. The question posed, "How much more abuse from man can she stand?" suggests a profound concern for the limits of the planet's capacity to absorb and recover from the harm inflicted upon it by human activities. The imagery of a crowded and abused land evokes a sense of urgency for action and change to prevent further destruction.
The repeated references to radiation in the ground and sky, as well as the death of animals and birds living nearby, serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of environmental degradation on wildlife and ecosystems. The singer's plea for mercy and lamentation over the state of the world serves as a call to raise awareness and take responsibility for our actions in order to protect and preserve the Earth for future generations. Overall, the lyrics of "Mercy Mercy Me" poignantly convey a message of environmental consciousness and the urgent need for sustainable practices to heal and safeguard our planet.
Line by Line Meaning
Woo ah mercy, mercy me
Oh, have mercy on us, show us compassion and understanding
Ah, things ain't what they used to be.
The world is not as good as it once was
No, no, where did all the blue skies go,
Wondering where the clean, clear skies have disappeared to
Poison is the wind that blows
The air we breathe is contaminated and harmful
From the north and south and east
No direction is safe from pollution and damage
Woo mercy, mercy me
Seeking mercy and compassion for the state of the world
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon
The careless squandering of oil in our seas
Our seas fish full of mercury, ah. oh
Fish in the sea are contaminated with toxic mercury
What about this over crowded land
Concern about the overpopulation and exploitation of the Earth
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Questioning how much more damage the Earth can endure from human actions
No, no, no, radiation underground and in the sky;
Expressing alarm at the presence of radiation in our environment
Animals and birds who live near by are dying oh,
Noticing the harmful impact on wildlife from pollution and radiation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind