Have Mercy Judge
Chuck Berry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have mercy, I'm in a world of trouble now
I'm being held by the State Patrol
I am charged with traffic of the forbidden
And I almost finished doing my parole
Now, I'm on my way back down town
Somebody help me, have mercy on my soul

I go to court tomorrow morning
And I got the same judge I had before
Lord, I know he won't have no mercy on me
'Cause he told me not to come back no more
He'll send me away to some stoney mansion
In a lonely room and lock the door

Ow! Have mercy on my little Tulane
She's too alive to try to live alone
And I know her needs
And although she loves me
She's gonna try to make it
While the poor boy's gone

Somebody should tell her to live
And I'll understand it




And even love her more
When I come back home

Overall Meaning

Chuck Berry's song Have Mercy Judge is a poignant and introspective look at the consequences of wrongdoing and the pain it causes both the wrongdoer and their loved ones. The singer finds himself in a world of trouble, being held by the State Patrol and facing charges of trafficking forbidden items. He reveals that he has almost finished his parole, but now faces being sent back downtown to face judgment once again. He pleads for mercy, knowing that the judge who will preside over his case tomorrow morning will show him none, having already warned him not to come back. He fears being locked away in a "stoney mansion" and being left alone with his thoughts.


In the second verse, he shifts his focus to his loved one, Tulane. He acknowledges that she is too alive to try and live alone, and that although she loves him, she's going to try to make it while he's gone. He hopes that somebody will tell her to live her life and that he'll understand and love her more when he comes back. It's a powerful look at the damage done by breaking the law and the ripple effects it has on those we care about.


Line by Line Meaning

Have mercy, I'm in a world of trouble now
I'm in trouble with the law and desperately need help


I'm being held by the State Patrol
The State Patrol has arrested and detained me


I am charged with traffic of the forbidden
I've been charged with possessing something illegal


And I almost finished doing my parole
I'm close to completing my probation sentence


Now, I'm on my way back downtown
I'm headed to the city center or courthouse


Somebody help me, have mercy on my soul
I need someone to help me and show me compassion


I go to court tomorrow morning
My court date is set for tomorrow morning


And I got the same judge I had before
The same judge who previously convicted me will hear my case


Lord, I know he won't have no mercy on me
I expect the judge to be unsympathetic towards me


'Cause he told me not to come back no more
The judge warned me not to commit any more crimes


He'll send me away to some stoney mansion
I'll be sent to prison or jail


In a lonely room and lock the door
I'll be confined to a cell with no companionship


Ow! Have mercy on my little Tulane
I'm worried about my loved one, Tulane


She's too alive to try to live alone
Tulane is too young and vibrant to be alone


And I know her needs
I understand what Tulane requires


And although she loves me
Even though Tulane cares about me


She's gonna try to make it
She's going to try to manage on her own


While the poor boy's gone
While I'm not around to help


Somebody should tell her to live
Someone should encourage Tulane to enjoy life


And I'll understand it
I'll be okay with her living her life


And even love her more
My love for Tulane will only grow


When I come back home
When I return from my legal troubles




Lyrics Β© ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: CHUCK BERRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Jack


on Little Marie (Alternate)

Yes, oh yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge, I'll pay
Which love one is calling me, I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my hearth, her Mom and my Marie

It so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee

Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know,
Surely, you have not forgot how much I love you so
If you would remember, Dear, and sometimes talk to me
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.

Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave
You did not want to see me off and promised not to grieve,
My hearth was tore apart as I looked back at my Marie
And there the peace is still remain with you in Tennessee.

I guess I should stop talking, after all you placed the call
But anyway that I can help, you know I'll help you all


Then she spoke and asked me to come back and see Marie
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.